80%
Clifford Chance has recorded a spring retention score of 80%, with 40 of its 50 final seat trainees staying on with the firm.
Forty-four offers were made to the 48 trainees who applied for associate positions.
The Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2025 shows that the newly made up associates will start with a salary of £150,000, excluding bonuses.
The latest spring score reflects an increase from the firm’s autumn figure, when it retained 42 out of 56 final-seat trainees, or 75%.
Clifford Chance has become the third Magic Circle firm to announce its spring retention figures, following A&O Shearman, which reported an 84% retention rate (31 out of 37). Earlier in February, Linklaters confirmed a global retention rate of 75% (43 out of 57).