Norton Rose Fulbright reveals spring 2014 retention rate and announces maternity policy changes
updated on 21 May 2014
Norton Rose Fulbright has confirmed a 92% retention rate for its trainee solicitors qualifying in May. The firm offered positions to 24 of the 26 trainees, with all 24 accepting.
The firm is one of the last to announce its 2014 spring retention rates; Slaughter and May had the highest retention rate among the Magic Circle (95%), following a number of confirmations earlier in the year. Norton Rose Fulbright is currently transitioning from a six-seat to a four-seat system, resulting in the slightly later qualification dates. The new training contract process will involve time in the corporate, banking and dispute resolution departments, as well as the possibility of an international or client secondment.
Michael Black, training principal at the firm, commented: "We take great pride in our recruitment and training processes and are delighted to have such a consistently high retention rate on qualification."
In other news, Norton Rose Fulbright has undertaken a comprehensive review of its maternity and paternity policies, with a new policy going live from 1 May 2014. As reported by The Lawyer, the firm surveyed all female employees who had taken maternity leave over the last five years. The new policy means that all London employees will receive full pay for their 28-week maternity leave, once they have been employed for a year or more. Other reforms to childcare policies also include an increase in paternity leave pay, a maternity group coaching programme and provision for fertility treatment.
