Cleary, Shearman confirm jobs for September NQs

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is to keep on all six of its September 2009 qualifying trainees in the City while Shearman & Sterling has offered jobs to nearly two thirds of its qualifiers.

Cleary has continued its record of retaining every qualifying trainee since it introduced its trainee programme in the City in 1997. One trainee will focus on tax while the remainder will keep a broader corporate practice.

Andrew Shutter, UK recruitment partner at Cleary, said: "We pride ourselves on selecting, training and retaining the best possible trainee solicitors. We are very pleased to have such a strong group of trainee solicitors joining our firm as associates and have very high hopes for their successful careers within the firm."

Cleary emerged as a leading financial performer in 2008, achieving an 8% increase in revenues to bill $965m (£603m), while profits per partner increased by 12% to $2.4m (£1.5m), which put it ahead of many Wall Street rivals.

Meanwhile, fellow US firm Shearman has given jobs to nine out of the 14 trainees due to qualify in September, after six out of seven trainees from the firm's September 2008 intake qualified into the firm.

However, this year's March intake saw a retention rate of just 50% with two trainees offered jobs out of the four qualifying. The firm said that it is providing career support to those who missed out on positions at the firm.

Weil Gotshal & Manges is to retain 85% of its September qualifiers, representing 11 out of 13 trainees. Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has handed jobs to all three of its September qualifying intake and Latham secured positions for seven of the nine qualifiers.