The Legal Support web site reports that London-based firm Simmons & Simmons has revealed a significant increase in its retention of newly-qualified (NQ) lawyers, making 35 offers to 38 qualifiers for a rate of 89 per cent – compared to just 59 per cent last year.

Redundancies

London rival Addleshaw Goddard has chosen to hang on to 27 of its 32 NQ lawyers, giving an 84 per cent retention rate – a small dip from September 2011, when the retention rate was 86 per cent. However, this follows the firm making 24 redundancies at the end of the summer.

Addleshaws resourcing manager Gundip Judge commented: ‘A more diverse business is a stronger business and over the last three years, we have adapted our recruitment process to widen the talent pool, increasing the number of universities we recruit from and launching our Legal Access Scheme in partnership with BBP to improve access and diversity within the legal profession.’

Retention rate

Across the pond, New York-based frim Weil Gotshal & Manges offered trainee solicitor roles to 12 of its 13 NQs. Nine accepted, resulting in a 69 per cent retention rate – a slight drop from last year’s figure of 75 per cent.

Herbert Smith and Norton Rose also recently confirmed retention rates of 80 per cent and 78 per cent respectively.