Summer students less satisfied with Clifford Chance

Summer students less satisfied with Clifford Chance

Summer students are the latest group to dent Clifford Chance's reputation in the US, after an annual survey of their experiences saw the firm tumble down the satisfaction ratings.

Clifford Chance was ranked 71st out of 123 firms in L Magazine's survey, compared to 17th last year.

'Lower the billable hours requirement' was a comment students said they would like to make to the managing partner.

Over the last fortnight, the firm's US operation has been under the microscope after a leaked memo from associates in New York said billing targets encouraged lawyers to pad bills.

The summer students marked the firm highly as a place to work, but were not impressed by the interest level of the work they were given or their treatment by associates.

Two other City firms featured: Linklaters, rising from 114 last year to 79, and Allen & Overy, which dropped from 110 to 114.

Access to partners and associates and 'how relaxed it was' were two aspects of Linklaters that surprised students.

At Allen & Overy, it was friendliness and equal treatment.

However, A&O came last for the interest level of the work.

Neil Rose