US firm Shearman & Sterling has posted a solid 92 per cent retention rate for its autumn NQs, a marked improvement on the 64% it took on in 2009. The firm confirmed that 11 out of the 12 trainees due to qualify in September will stay on.

Another US giant, Baker & McKenzie has upped the ante even more, retaining 95 per cent of its NQs this September. The firm will hold on to 20 out of 21 trainees putting it in the lead thus far. The firm’s March 2010 and September 2009 NQ retention rates, were 93% and 77% respectively.

At a slightly lower level, Allen & Overy has seen its retention rate fall slightly from 87 per cent in the Spring of this year to 80% for September. 50 out of 62 trainees due to qualify in September will stay on with the magic circle firm.

Top 40-firm, Ince & Co is taking on 10 out of the 12 trainee solicitors due to qualify in September 2010 giving it a retention rate of 83 per cent.

And Olswang has confirmed that it will hold on to just 58 per cent of its September NQs, giving it the lowest NQ retention rate in the UK 200 so far. Only 14 out of 24 trainees have been offered jobs.

Meanwhile, Scots firm McGrigors has posted a rather disappointing retention rate of 64% for its September intake. Having planned for 30 new starters, the firm reduced its quota to 23 in light of fragile economic conditions. Out of a total of 36 trainees, 33 applied for jobs.