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News
A&O Shearman reveals latest trainee retention rate
updated on 14 July 2025
Reading time: one minute
Leading law firm A&O Shearman has retained 69% of its summer trainee cohort, with 37 out of the 54 trainees having accepted permanent positions.
The firm’s trainees “will have the opportunity to work on market-defining, complex, and high-profile matters for the world’s leading businesses”, according to the firm’s early careers partner and training principal, James Partridge.
He also said: “We’re delighted that so many of our trainees have chosen to build their careers at A&O Shearman. Our commitment to developing talent at the highest level ensures that our trainees are set up for success."
Other firms also recently announced trainee retention rates, including:
- Wedlake Bell LLP, which retained 100% of its eight trainees;
- RPC and Watson Farley & Williams LLP, both of which retained 89% of their trainee cohorts (16 out of 18 trainees); and
- national law firm Freeths LLP, which will see 11 out of 15 (73.3%) trainees stay on at the firm, according to The Lawyer.
Earlier in the year, A&O Shearman revealed an 84% trainee retention rate for its trainees who qualified in spring.
