Just as the legal jobs scene in the UK looks better, theres talk of dumping the lockstep promotion model for associates, reports The Lawyer. Freshfields has already revealed details of its new ‘career milestone’ model, which will replace the lockstep with a system based on specific development criteria. Several firms, including Norton Rose and Pinsent Masons, have already abandoned PQE, while CMS Cameron McKenna and Simmons & Simmons are among those understood to be reviewing their systems. However, one partner at a City firm believes the moves could backfire. “I’m sceptical about what will happen,” he said. “My worry is that, as soon as the market picks up and ­everyone wants to keep ­associates, you can’t risk it.”