More Linklaters associates have signed up to the firm's 40-hour week alternative career path, which allows the firm's Germany lawyers to work a standard 40-hour week on reduced pay.

Three more associates have joined the 'YourLink' scheme since last November, when nine had taken up the career path. 

The scheme, which is unique to Linklaters' German offices, launched in May 2017, and offers lawyers in the magic circle firm's Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Duesseldorf and Hamburg bases the option to work 40-hour weeks on reduced pay to provide a better work/life balance.

First-year associates on the 40-hour deal are paid €80,000 (£71,500), compared to €120,000 (£107,310) for those on the firm's standard pay package. Those signing up for the scheme are not eligible for partnership, although it is possible to become a managing associate or counsel.

Pay increases are also much flatter year on year, and bonuses are significantly smaller for those on the scheme than that of their colleagues.

Linklaters Germany HR head Thomas Schmidt had previously said he expected 10%-20% of the firm's associates in Germany to eventually move to the alternative contract. 

The model is touted as giving Linklaters an advantage in the competitive German recruitment market, in that it will help the firm to recruit or retain lawyers who would otherwise look for less demanding roles outside of private practice.

The competition to recruit lawyers is particularly fierce in Germany, where it can take at least seven years to qualify as a lawyer, reducing the potential talent pool.