Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer increase trainee lawyer salaries

Law firms Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have increased salaries for their London-based trainee lawyers.

Newly qualified lawyers at Linklaters will see their pay increase from £125,000 to £150,000. Trainee salaries have increased from £50,000 to £56,000 for year one trainees and from £55,000 to £61,000 for year two trainees, while solicitor apprentices’ salaries have jumped from £25,000 to £28,000.

Meanwhile, newly qualified lawyers at Freshfields will see their salaries increase to £150,000 from £125,000. First year starting trainee pay will rise from £50,000 to £56,000 and second year trainee salaries will jump from £55,000 to £61,000.

Paul Lewis, firmwide managing partner at Linklaters, said: “We are committed to rewarding our people competitively in our market. Our salary changes reflect this and enable us to attract and retain exceptional lawyers to provide the highest quality service to our clients.”

Mark Sansom, London managing partner at Freshfields, added: “We’re committed to embedding a culture that supports our people to deliver their best, knowing their contribution is valued and rewarded. Being part of Freshfields means working alongside the best lawyers in the market and being fairly recognised for excellent client service on the most complex and high-profile legal work. This move follows a year of strong growth for the London business, thanks to the dedication of all our people. It also reflects our confidence in the firm’s continued market leadership across all our London practices, further boosted by the success of the material investments in the US and other markets.”

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Freshfields also provides its employees with a flexible working scheme called SmartBalance that offers part-time working, career breaks, job-shares and flexible annualised days. Its mental health and wellbeing resources include a mental health affinity network and mental health first aiders.

Linklaters ‘ benefits include corporate membership discounts with a range of health club providers, private medical insurance and an employee assistance programme.