Linklaters, RPC and Taylor Wessing have revealed high trainee retention rates as we emerge from covid-19-induced lockdowns. 

Magic circle firm Linklaters has revealed plans to move graduate recruitment online this autumn subject to the UK’s lockdown restrictions.

The first part of the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam – a series of online multiple-choice exams testing legal knowledge – is likely to be too difficult with fail rates higher than the current LPC system, says Patrick McCann, global head of learning at Linklaters LLP.

The Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund, which is backed by 18 major law firms, has secured funding for its first cohort of social welfare legal workers to begin their journey to qualifying as solicitors via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).

Two magic circle firms have broken ranks with their peers to include partners in their gender pay gap reporting.

White & Case LLP recently published a 100% retention rate for its trainees who are due to qualify in September, bringing the firm’s overall retention rate for 2024 to 87%.

City firm Herbert Smith Freehills has elected 26 partners worldwide – its biggest partner promotions round since 2012 and four more than 2019 – despite coronavirus concerns.

Shoosmiths, Linklaters LLP and Weightmans LLP have each published record-breaking financial results for the 2023/24 financial year, with Shoosmiths’ revenue surpassing the £200-million mark for the first time. 

The UK Diversity Legal Awards celebrates its 11th anniversary this year and continues to “promote the successful work and commendable efforts of individuals and organisations in the legal profession.”

Browne Jacobson LLP, Linklaters LLP and Allen & Overy LLP are among 41 law firms on the 2023 Social Mobility Employer Index, with the legal profession retaining its place as the best-represented sector in the index this year. 

While many law firms have a strong presence on LinkedIn and Instagram, far fewer have embraced TikTok. That makes those that are present on the platform especially worth following for insight into law firm culture, real advice from trainees and lawyers, and a window into the application process. Here are LCN’s picks of 10 law firms with active TikTok accounts and why they deserve a spot on your feed.

The popularity of podcasts has soared in recent years, with 12.3 million people listening to podcasts each week in the UK, according to the BBC. Here are the 15 podcasts we think all aspiring lawyers should listen to.

The Social Mobility Foundation has opened applications for its 2014 programmes, including law, which provide young people from less privileged backgrounds with free mentoring, skills development, internships and support with university applications.

New research has revealed that privately educated lawyers still make up the majority of legal professionals at the country's top 20 law firms.

International firm Norton Rose Fulbright will introduce a new hybrid working policy, allowing staff to work remotely for up to 50% of the time once the pandemic has passed. Linklaters and Taylor Wessing have also introduced agile working strategies. 

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is set to recruit its first solicitor apprentices in September 2025, joining Linklaters LLP and Allen & Overy LLP as the third magic circle law firm to embrace this alternative route. 

As exam season comes to an end and vac schemers prepare for their stints, those who were unable to secure places now have a summer of time to fill. If you haven’t managed to secure a vac scheme (or pupillage) this summer and you’re feeling a little lost, read on for some of my tips! 

Major law firms including Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith, Linklaters, Norton Rose, and Slaughter and May have pledged their support for a new work experience project designed to boost social mobility in the legal profession.