Freshfields wishes to distance itself from its ‘magic circle’ tag, the firm’s global managing partner has said. 

Over 10 firms have now confirmed how many of their Spring 2015 qualifying cohort will be retained.

City firms have revealed plans to reduce office space, as lawyers forecast remote working to become the new norm.

It still hasn’t quite sunk in. When Westminster Law Society was announced as the winner of the ‘Best careers event’ category at the 2025 Student Law Society Awards, we were momentarily stunned into silence. This was quickly followed by cheers, hugs and a lot of blinking back happy tears.

Global law firm Dentons has announced its latest retention rate of 76%, with 28 out of 37 trainees staying on across its UK, Ireland and Middle East offices.

Irwin Mitchell LLP has revealed that a total of 48 out of its 53 final-seat trainees will be continuing at the law firm as newly qualified (NQ) solicitors in its offices across the country. This marked a retention rate of 91% for the firm’s latest cohort.

A range of law firms have announced plans to give their staff bonus payments due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Magic circle rates held especially strong with 94% of newly qualified (NQ) solicitors at Linklaters (47 out of 50) accepting roles, while Allen & Overy revealed that 92% (34 of 37) of trainees are staying on post qualification.

Simmons & Simmons has announced that it will donate £2 million to charities to support covid-19 relief efforts worldwide after a strong financial year.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has launched his 'Opening Doors' social mobility campaign together with James Caan, businessman and TV personality, and Peter Searle, chief executive of the recruitment company Adecco.

Top earners at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP have had their remuneration increased to approximately £3.1 million.

Jones Day’s newly qualified (NQ) lawyers in London are set to receive a 27% pay rise, which will see their annual salaries reach £140,000. 

The Law Society - working in collaboration with law firms and charity LawWorks - has established a telephone helpline to provide free legal assistance to riot victims.

Statistics in a recently published annual report show that The College of Law’s Pathways to Law scheme has actively helped young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain places at leading universities.

London firms have reacted to the proposed Brexit deal with “cautious optimism” despite lawyers advising business to prepare for the worst, as reported in the Law Gazette.

The College of Law, in collaboration with the City Solicitors’ Educational Trust, hosted a forum to investigate the best ways of promoting social mobility in the legal sector on 28 September.