According to LegalWeek, Clifford Chance normally recruits 120 trainees a year during its two intakes, which occur in August and February. However, because of the tough economic climate last year, the firm recruited “cautiously.” Now it’s asking students at Europe’s College of Law to re-apply during the next two trainee intakes so it can bring the number of trainees back to “normal” levels.
When confirming the news, a Clifford Chance spokesperson said the firm has used “rolling recruitment” in the past, but didn’t do so last year because of the economic climate.
LegalWeek goes on to note how retention rates have declined during the recession. According to its research, the retention rate in March 2010 was 75 percent, which is a pretty substantial drop from 83 percent in March 2009. As for Clifford Chance, Legal Week reports the firm retained 70 percent of its March qualifiers, which is down from 80 percent the previous year.
Clifford Chance is global London based firm with 29 offices in 20 countries and 3,600 legal advisers.