As Browne Jacobson keeps three out of four NQs
Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) has unveiled a spring retention score of 75%.
Of the 24 trainees due to qualify this month, 18 have been handed permanent contracts by the global firm. A further two newly qualified lawyers (NQs) are on fixed-term deals, Legal Cheek can reveal. NRF, which provides around 45 training positions each year, confirmed it received two resignations and made 22 offers.
Today’s news is a notable improvement on the firm’s autumn 2017 score. On that occasion NRF kept hold of just 16 of its 26 NQ lawyers (plus two on fixed-term contracts), equating to a score of 62%. The outfit recorded a result of 83% (20 out of 24) in spring 2017 — and an impressive 96% (22 out of 24) in autumn 2016.
Retention rates aside, Legal Cheek’s Firms Most List shows NRF’s new recruits will start lawyer life on a salary of £75,000. Trainees currently earn £44,000, rising to £48,000 in year two.
NRF was a strong performer in our Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey this year. It scored an A* for its plush riverside office, as well as As for training, quality of work, peer support and those all important perks.
Returning to retention rates and Midlands-based firm Browne Jacobson has retained three of its four spring qualifiers. With two NQs in Nottingham and one in London, this equates to a retention score of 75%.
The national outfit — which offers 20 training contacts each year — secured As for quality of work, partner approachability, work/life balance and canteen in our annual survey.
A plethora of top City outfits have now confirmed their spring retention scores. These include Mayer Brown (100%), Clifford Chance (92%), Trowers & Hamlins (86%), Slaughter and May (95%), Allen & Overy (80%) and Macfarlanes (100%). Additionally, White & Case (81%), Freshfields (74%) and Herbert Smith Freehills (92%) revealed their spring percentages last week.