Bristol-based national law firm Burges Salmon has maintained its sector-leading trainee retention rate by offering positions to all but one of its 27 final-year trainee solicitors when they qualify in September.
The 96% rate is much higher than the industry average of just under 80%. Last year Burges Salmon retained all its trainees – the second time in three years it had a clean sweep and the largest firm to do so, according to research by law student reference guide Chambers Student.
It was also the only large Bristol firm to offer posts to all its final-year trainee lawyers. Over the past five years, it has recorded an average trainee retention rate of 94%.
According to Chambers Student, of the other major Bristol-based national firms Osborne Clarke retained 21 of its 24 final-year trainees last year with TLT keeping on half its 14. Bevan Britain also offered roles to half its eight trainees and Ashfords 10 out of 13 while VWV retained all six.
This year’s 26 final-year trainees at Burges Salmon – 13 women and 13 men – will qualify into a range of the firm’s key teams including construction and engineering, projects, corporate, real estate, banking, employment, dispute resolution, planning, pensions and private client.
Burges Salmon managing partner Roger Bull said: “One of our strategic objectives at Burges Salmon is to be an exceptional place to work for our people, in an environment that seeks to maximise their potential.
“We are focused on attracting, retaining and motivating bright and talented people – it is with great pleasure therefore to announce another year of very high trainee retention rates. Many congratulations to each one of them.”
Burges Salmon, which also has a satellite office in London, has 88 partners and 425 lawyers among a workforce of more than 700 people.
Pictured: Burges Salmon’s retained final-year trainees
