Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Similar to london

oh but what are the rates like trainee. pqe1.pqe2. etc

Hi all, junior disputes assoc in a big 4 firm here – looking to switch into corporate practice (corp finance / M&A etc).

From job postings online, it looks like mid-tier / big firms that do corp work often have fairly strict requirements on hiring only candidates with relevant experience. Does anyone know if it is possible for someone with no corp experience to get into these roles?

Supposing that an offer from a small corp firm comes through, would it make sense to sacrifice (1) salary and (2) the “branding” of a big 4 firm in exchange for exposure to corp work (and then apply for mid-tier / bigger firms at a later stage)?

I am a little bit concerned that the size of the firm will not be looked on favourably with future employers. It may be better to remain in my current role until an offer from a bigger firm comes along – but again, this may be unrealistic (esp. in COVID times) because I lack corp experience. I am also a bit mindful about becoming increasingly entrenched in disputes work if I stay, though I suppose at a junior stage it may not make a huge difference.

Would be very grateful for any views/advice, thanks!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

oh but what are the rates like trainee. pqe1.pqe2. etc

If you’re deciding between staying in London and coming back, coming back = less tax.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Recently received an offer for in-house legal counsel position. 7.5k pm with 3-5 months discretionary performance based bonus. 3 pqe.

Am I being lowballed?

What is the company profile, scope of work and your background?
I accept 8.3k but it was a regional role (over 30 jurisdictions in APAC) and i was trained in the specific area the company does business in. This was before covid.

If you're a generalist and its a local role/local company, then no - you're not being low-balled.

If you're a specialist, its a regional or multiple-portfolio role (both legal + compliance), or am MNC, then you have room to nego for more.

I would nego for more, but if they tell me that's the best they can do, i'll accept it in this climate. Definitely would not have accepted pre-covid times.

OP's annual package (if the performance bonus is really 5 months) will be 10k a month tho. Haha I thought not bad?

Do you mind sharing how much is your annual package?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

What is the company profile, scope of work and your background?
I accept 8.3k but it was a regional role (over 30 jurisdictions in APAC) and i was trained in the specific area the company does business in. This was before covid.

If you're a generalist and its a local role/local company, then no - you're not being low-balled.

If you're a specialist, its a regional or multiple-portfolio role (both legal + compliance), or am MNC, then you have room to nego for more.

I would nego for more, but if they tell me that's the best they can do, i'll accept it in this climate. Definitely would not have accepted pre-covid times.

How does Melbourne Law School fare in SG employer's eyes? Currently a Singaporean who is completing his year 12 in a Victorian High School, and am wondering if I should go to the UK instead.

Thank you all.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How does Melbourne Law School fare in SG employer's eyes? Currently a Singaporean who is completing his year 12 in a Victorian High School, and am wondering if I should go to the UK instead.

Thank you all.

It is very respectable,

No worries in getting a place in international law firms like Baker.

Local Big 4 like Drew even no issue.

Saqib Alam was just elected as a partner at Morrison and Foerster in London - very well deserved to him! (ex JLC and AR)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Saqib Alam was just elected as a partner at Morrison and Foerster in London - very well deserved to him! (ex JLC and AR)

Ang Lip Kian also elected in the Singapore office as well - never worked with him before, but it's encouraging that they made up a purely local lawyer as partner (he's an NUS boy - trained at KhattarWong and has worked entirely in Singapore except a short stint in Shanghai)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Saqib Alam was just elected as a partner at Morrison and Foerster in London - very well deserved to him! (ex JLC and AR)

the KCL haters here can stfu now