Number of lawyers qualifying at top 20 drops 7% year-on-year

The number of newly qualified (NQ) lawyers accepting roles at the UK's top 20 law firms has fallen 6% year-on-year as the effects of the uncertain market continue to be felt at the lower end of the profession.

In total 672 NQs took up roles at the top 20 firms this year, a drop of 6.3% on the autumn 2012 qualifying round, in which 717 lawyers were recruited, according to research by Legal Week.

The trend reflects a broader dip in the number of qualifying lawyers this year, with cutbacks in firms' graduate recruitment during the worst of the downturn now playing out further down the line. There was a total of 825 qualifying lawyers across the group this autumn, down 7% from last year's figure of 887, with firms including Eversheds, Herbert Smith Freehills and Simmons & Simmons all seeing a decrease in the number of NQs coming through the ranks this year.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer graduate recruitment partner Simon Johnson (pictured) said: "Firms are still adjusting to the new normal. These decisions were taken three or four years ago, and firms tend to recruit with the mindset of how they are operating now instead of looking ahead. With that in mind, I think numbers will remain flat or see a downward trend in coming years, which is part of the inherent caution at law firms. 

"It remains tough for applicants. The standard of applications has risen; applicants seem better prepared and we are seeing a more mature approach to the application process."

Retention rates across the group as a whole have remained broadly static this year compared to last, with an average of 82% landing associate jobs at the firm they qualified with. However, this masks discrepancies at a number of firms.

Simmons reported a retention rate of 71% this autumn, down from 89% last year, with the firm keeping on 17 of its 24 qualifiers. Last year it kept on 34 out of 38 NQs. DLA Piper also saw a drop in retention rates this year, with 56 out of 77 (73%) taking up roles at the firm compared to 75 of 90 (83%) last year.

However, Linklaters London graduate recruitment partner Simon Branigan said: "Over the last four to five years we have been consistent in taking around 110 trainees each year, and, having just kicked off our 2016 campaign, we are still looking to recruit this amount. 

"We have noticed that there is much stronger talent coming through and are very excited at the prospect of recruiting as many of these strong graduates and undergraduates as possible."

At the other end of the scale, DAC Beachcroft saw the largest improvement in retention rates, keeping on 82% of its September qualifiers (18 of 22), whereas last year this figure stood at 58% (15 of 26).

"Nowadays, firms are increasingly looking for trainees who can demonstrate commercial awareness and stand out as great business people as well as good lawyers – it's not just about legal skills," said DAC Beachcroft learning and development officer Rebecca Crocker.

"We now recruit a year ahead while most firms still recruit two years in advance. The shift in approach allows us to attract talented individuals as well as considering the business need, with reduced numbers also allowing us to provide a more focused training experience."