International law firm Osborne Clarke has taken on eight trainees as newly qualified solicitors in its Bristol office.
The group are among 14 autumn trainees retained by the firm, which also has offices in London and Reading – giving an overall retention rate of 82% across all three offices.
The Bristol group is made up of Ciara McPhillips (projects team), Greg McQuade, Hazel Brayden and Jamie Halpin (commercial and regulatory disputes), Tom Marshall and Joe Roberts (banking), Helena Zaba (corporate tax) and Sarah Wilson (real estate). 
Osborne Clarke training principal and partner Catherine Wolfenden, pictured, said: “Trainees who join Osborne Clarke learn by doing. Each person is supported with a programme that combines structured training and hands-on experience, which is backed up by expert partner-level supervision. We tailor this approach so it supports their progression now and in the future.”
UK managing partner Ray Berg added: “Our aim is to create a great working environment that attracts and retains top talent. Congratulations to all of our autumn qualifiers and I look forward to seeing each of these trainees progress in our business.”
A year ago Osborne Clarke kept on 92% of its qualifying autumn trainees. For the past two years it has retained all its spring qualifiers.
The legal industry average retention rate for leading law firms is 80%, according to the Chambers Student website.
Pictured, from left: Jamie Halpin, Ciara McPhillips, Greg McQuade, Hazel Brayden, Sarah Wilson, Tom Marshall and Helena Zaba
