Slaughters tops the list with 93% retention rate with other major firms not far behind

Initial indications show trainee retention rates at the UK's leading law firms are largely stable as a number of firms announce the proportion of September qualifiers to be offered places.

Top performers include Slaughter and May, which has posted a 93% retention rate, with the firm set to keep 57 of a total 61 qualifiers after 60 applied for a position.

Among the top 30 firms, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Macfarlanes and Holman Fenwick Willan have also posted retention rates in excess of 90%.

Allen & Overy (A&O) posted an 81% retention rate compared to 77% in September 2009, keeping on 50 of 62 new qualifiers. Norton Rose retained the same proportion of trainees as last September – 83% – after keeping on 24 of 29 qualifiers.

At Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, currently 89% of trainees have accepted places at the firm, with several responses still outstanding. Last year, Freshfields posted a 70% retention rate for September.

DLA Piper offered 68 of its 96 qualifiers places, all of whom accepted. Meanwhile, at Herbert Smith 75% of qualifiers will take up places at the firm.

Bird & Bird has seen a decline in retention rates but maintained a fairly high rate of 84% after it kept on 100% of qualifiers in September last year.

A&O graduate recruitment partner Richard Hough (pictured) said: "Attracting and retaining the most talented trainees is a strategic investment in the future of our business and ensures that we have the right people in place to meet anticipated future demand from our clients.

"While the global economic outlook remains uncertain, these retention rates reflect healthy demand from our clients and the robust performance of our key practice areas."