I find this recent obsession with JLVs rather curious, especially by uninformed students or fresh grads.

JLVs, FLA, etc are just largely there for branding purposes. They are essentially still the same local law firms under a different brand.

Perhaps there are some synergies at the work referral level, but that's not gonna affect you. What's relevant to you as a junior is that you will still work under largely local partners doing largely domestic work.

There are of course, some firms where there are real structural changes coming in with the foreign influence, but it is still very gradual. Local regulations still permit only 30% equity ownership by non-Singapore lawyers.

Don't be wowed by the newfangled ang moh names attached to the local firms. Most of the JLVs will still pay whatever salaries the market leaders set. And the market leaders remain the big 4 as always.

Source: i'm in one of these newfangled JLVs FLAs whatever you call them