CMS Cameron McKenna has nearly doubled the size of its August qualifying trainee intake following its merger with Dundas & Wilson earlier this year, but has seen a significant drop in retention rates for newly qualified (NQ) lawyers.

The firm's retention rate is now at its lowest level since autumn 2010 after just 41 out of 61 NQs from this autumn's intake accepted job offers. The 67.2% return is markedly down from last year's 82%, when 28 out of 34 accepted offers.

The firm's London office retained the most trainees with 21, followed by Edinburgh with 10 and Bristol with 4.

Simon Pilcher, CMS graduate recruitment partner, said: "As a result of the combination with Dundas & Wilson, we have a significant increase in the number of trainees qualifying in August compared to last year…As a consequence, due to the volume of trainees the overall retention rate is regrettably lower than in previous years.

"However we are in a strong position as a firm post-merger and were therefore able to offer more NQ positions than last year with 41 trainees accepting roles with us."