Clifford Chance (CC) is considering introducing a compulsory period of salaried partnership as
a bridging gap between assistant solicitors and equity partners.

The firm is looking at the option of introducing a 'buffer zone' of one year, although some partners within the firm have suggested that two or even three years would be more suitable, with the expectation that the changes could be brought in next year.

Clifford Chance can afford to have some leeway on the issue as it has the shortest lockstep of any of the magic circle firms at nine years. Linklaters & Alliance and Slaughter and May have a 10 year equity ladders, while Allen & Overy's (A&O's) is 12 years.