Lawyer Salary

Yes - but limited to the firm itself; little consequence - most firms are giving TC as charity. No. I have not heard of any firm suing for breach - I doubt there is any damage.

Yes. Too bad for you - as a lawyer, you will learn to cover your behind and the firm is rightly doing so. You can always apply to another firm.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi seniors,

Would like to ask what are the practical consequences of breaking a TC. Do firms "blacklist" those who do so? Is it common to break TCs? What if the contract does not stipulate the consequences of termination?

Also, is it common for TCs to have a clause stating that "The Firm may terminate this practice training contract without cause upon 7 days’ notice in writing or, if with cause, immediately upon notice to you."? This seems to be very onerous –*if the firm realises that it has over-projected the number of trainees it needs, it may terminate the TCs of some of its incoming trainees?
(Ref: ://.legispoint.com/pdf/Sample_Training_Contract.pdf)

I am 3PQE and I am earning SGD 10k+. When I was 2PQE, I was drawing SGD 9k+. You are earning too low. Go figure.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Im currently 2PQE assoc at a mid sized firm. Any other assocs in mid sized firms of similar PQE willing to share their remuneration packages (Base/frontload), and what kind of increments they are getting?

Im getting $4000/500 and the increments seem to only be $300-500 per year. Given the terrible market, I'm not sure if the grass out there is much greener especially since I have a really warm-hearted boss.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am 3PQE and I am earning SGD 10k+. When I was 2PQE, I was drawing SGD 9k+. You are earning too low. Go figure.

3PQE as well. Getting low 8k.

$4k is way too low. Your boss is exploiting you. Some 1PQEs already get more than 5k.

Dear Seniors,

Given the abysmal condition of the law firms locally, would it be better to obtain a training contract in Hong Kong? What are the pros and cons of going to Hong Kong to become a lawyer? I am currently hesitant as I have a stable relationship, and my s/o is unwilling to move to Hong Kong with me. However, I am not sure about my prospects locally as well, even when I have secured a training contract with a mid-size firm.

Any tips on how to excel at application and interview with Hong Kong lawyers will be much appreciated as well!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

3PQE as well. Getting low 8k.

$4k is way too low. Your boss is exploiting you. Some 1PQEs already get more than 5k.

Is $4/5k low for a 3PQE associate in a mid-sized firm? What would be a reasonable amount? By way of clarification, are you working in a big 4 / international firm?

Seeing as how the starting pay for most mid-sized firms is 4K+, it seems highly unlikely for a 3PQE to be earning around 7k, much less 8k? Please correct me if I'm wrong

Originally Posted by Unregistered

3PQE as well. Getting low 8k.

$4k is way too low. Your boss is exploiting you. Some 1PQEs already get more than 5k.

I think there is a significant difference in the pay between the 2 & 3PQE lawyers. A lot of news about the glut of lawyers popped up after the 3PQE lawyers got called and secured their jobs. Problems with getting TCs also started after 3PQE lawyers got called... From anecdotal evidence, I believe that many firms reduced the starting pay of the 2PQE lawyers because of this. (My firm had applicants willing to work during their probation period for free!)

I am working in a mid sized firm and was getting 4.5k (no MVC) up until i received a 1k raise a couple of days ago. My s/o who is also in another mid sized firm is getting 5k. My peers in some of the big 4 are getting about 6.5k... Given the current market, I am doubtful that the average lawyer presently with 2PQE in a midsized firm can get 8k when he hits 3PQE...

A distinction might be better made between regular midsized firm v the type that do "wall street" work

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Is $4/5k low for a 3PQE associate in a mid-sized firm? What would be a reasonable amount? By way of clarification, are you working in a big 4 / international firm?

Seeing as how the starting pay for most mid-sized firms is 4K+, it seems highly unlikely for a 3PQE to be earning around 7k, much less 8k? Please correct me if I'm wrong

3PQE range:

Big four (and some of the mid-sized)- 8k+
Some FLA/JLV - 9k/10k+
International - 10k-18k (white & case at the higher end)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I think there is a significant difference in the pay between the 2 & 3PQE lawyers. A lot of news about the glut of lawyers popped up after the 3PQE lawyers got called and secured their jobs. Problems with getting TCs also started after 3PQE lawyers got called... From anecdotal evidence, I believe that many firms reduced the starting pay of the 2PQE lawyers because of this. (My firm had applicants willing to work during their probation period for free!)

I am working in a mid sized firm and was getting 4.5k (no MVC) up until i received a 1k raise a couple of days ago. My s/o who is also in another mid sized firm is getting 5k. My peers in some of the big 4 are getting about 6.5k... Given the current market, I am doubtful that the average lawyer presently with 2PQE in a midsized firm can get 8k when he hits 3PQE...

A distinction might be better made between regular midsized firm v the type that do "wall street" work

Depends on what you bring to the table. I came from a mid-sized firm (was earning around 9k at 2PQE) and was headhunted to an international firm (currently earning around 12k) due to my skills. I received a 2:2, but my prospective employers have not asked for my transcripts or GPA (except for one of the big four; it nevertheless gave me a offer, which I rejected). I am still getting a few emails per week from various headhunters. Create a market for yourself and you will be surprised at where it will bring you.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Depends on what you bring to the table. I came from a mid-sized firm (was earning around 9k at 2PQE) and was headhunted to an international firm (currently earning around 12k) due to my skills. I received a 2:2, but my prospective employers have not asked for my transcripts or GPA (except for one of the big four; it nevertheless gave me a offer, which I rejected). I am still getting a few emails per week from various headhunters. Create a market for yourself and you will be surprised at where it will bring you.

Too good to be true

Originally Posted by Unregistered

3PQE range:

Big four (and some of the mid-sized)- 8k+
Some FLA/JLV - 9k/10k+
International - 10k-18k (white & case at the higher end)

To be sure when you say 3PQE do you mean someone who was called in 2014?