Clifford Chance reveals 86% trainee retention rate
updated on 12 August 2025
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Clifford Chance has revealed that 49 of its 57 final-seat trainees will be joining the firm as newly qualified (NQ) solicitors this September, marking a retention rate of 86% for its autumn cohort.
The magic circle firm received 56 applications for NQ positions and extended 49 offers, which were all accepted. According to the Legal Cheek Firms Most List, the firm recruits up to 100 trainees annually, with a starting salary of £56,000. Once qualified, the firm’s NQs see this figure jump to £150,000, placing Clifford Chance among the top-paying law firms for junior lawyers.
The announcement makes Clifford Chance the latest magic circle firm to publish its autumn retention figures, with Linklaters LLP having recently reported an 83% retention rate (retaining 33 of 40 trainees) and A&O Shearman having announced that it had retained 37 of 54 trainees (69%).
Across the wider market, retention rates vary. RPC and Watson Farley & Williams LLP both posted 89%, while Wedlake Bell LLP revealed a 100% retention rate. Meanwhile, Withers LLP retained 65% of its cohort.
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