The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend The talent raid that shook New York’s most prestigious law firm [Financial Times] (£) Boozy lunches still on the menu: Law firms bankroll juniors to schmooze clients in…
34 of 44 A&O Shearman has held onto 34 of its 44 newly qualifying trainees this autumn, working out at a retention rate of 77%. All the NQs staying on are in permanent roles. The result follows a similar showing…
Many are calling it the legal version of the Coldplay kiss cam scandal A screenshot of the viral TikTok What a week it’s been for Nathaniel Cullerton. Cullerton, a partner at BigLaw US firm Wachtell Lipton, was due to join…
More rises Eversheds Sutherland has increased the pay of its newly qualified (NQ) solicitors in both London and the regions. London salaries will enjoy a 9% boost to £120,000 from £110,000 and regional rates will rise around 10% from £72,500…
‘Satisfactory outcome’ Macfarlanes has reported static partner profits in its latest financial results, despite revenue continuing to climb. The Silver Circle firm posted revenue of £389.5 million for the 2025-26 financial year, up 5% on the previous year. Operating profit…
Career changers Over the years, Legal Cheek has reported on dozens of ex-lawyers who have left the profession for something completely different: heading into the arts, opening restaurants, moving into content creation and, in one case, becoming a clown?! But…
Future trainee’s law dream over A paralegal who forged client signatures and faked an email to cover her tracks has been barred from the solicitors’ profession by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) and stripped of her training contract — just…
Demand for elite junior legal talent remains high Milbank has followed its record trainee pay rise and latest NQ salary hike with yet another cash boost, handing associates “special bonuses” worth up to nearly £20,000. The hefty payday was announced…
Lifestyle creep In our latest career conundrum submission, a young lawyer wants to quit but is struggling to walk away from such a well-paid job. “Hello Legal Cheek. My career conundrum hasn’t come up yet, which surprises me a bit….
But pay is a long way off City law firm salaries The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is expanding its trainee intake by 50% as it seeks to develop more legal talent at junior level. The CPS will take on 120…