Lawyer Salary

3 PQE associate @ mid tier firms should comfortably be drawing $7000-$7,500 / pm.

I prefer to use "mid tier" rather than "mid sized", since not all mid tier firms are mid sized and vice versa - see ://sbr.com.sg/professional-serviceslegal/exclusive/singapores-25-largest-law-firms-in-2017

Mid tier firms that have tie-ups in some form or another with international firms may see a premium in salary above other comparable firms of the same tier, say upwards of $8,000 /pm.

I think the range is closer towards 6500 - 7500, although the bonus component at the end of the year may be higher than the big 4s. Thus the annual package may not differ much. I do know of people in mid tier / size firms of SA level getting less than 6400.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I think the range is closer towards 6500 - 7500, although the bonus component at the end of the year may be higher than the big 4s. Thus the annual package may not differ much. I do know of people in mid tier / size firms of SA level getting less than 6400.

Since we are on the topic of budding senior associate level 3PQEs, here are the salary ranges for similar PQE associates in Big4, Silver Circle, Magic Circle and White Shoe outfites.

For the avoidance of doubt, 3PQE means exactly what it says - a full 3 years of experience post-call. A&G associates reach SA grade at 2 years 4 months PQE. Wong P associates take a year longer (3 years 4 months). Not sure about the other Big4s. Broadly however, a 3PQE is generally called a Year 4 associate.

Here are the scales.

Big4 3PQE (with front loading): $9,000 to $9,200
Silver Circle 3PQE (excluding bonus): $10,000 to $12,000 (bonus varies)
Magic Circle 3PQE (excluding bonus) : $13,000 to $14,500 (generally 15-20% bonus)
White Shoe (excluding bonus): $18,000 to $22,000 (generally 0 bonus)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Since we are on the topic of budding senior associate level 3PQEs, here are the salary ranges for similar PQE associates in Big4, Silver Circle, Magic Circle and White Shoe outfites.

For the avoidance of doubt, 3PQE means exactly what it says - a full 3 years of experience post-call. A&G associates reach SA grade at 2 years 4 months PQE. Wong P associates take a year longer (3 years 4 months). Not sure about the other Big4s. Broadly however, a 3PQE is generally called a Year 4 associate.

Here are the scales.

Big4 3PQE (with front loading): $9,000 to $9,200
Silver Circle 3PQE (excluding bonus): $10,000 to $12,000 (bonus varies)
Magic Circle 3PQE (excluding bonus) : $13,000 to $14,500 (generally 15-20% bonus)
White Shoe (excluding bonus): $18,000 to $22,000 (generally 0 bonus)

where are you getting your info from? how many white shoe firms are there actually in singapore. and PQE in an international firm context is different from local firms since English solicitors train a good deal longer - 2 years.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

where are you getting your info from? how many white shoe firms are there actually in singapore. and PQE in an international firm context is different from local firms since English solicitors train a good deal longer - 2 years.

Quite a few white shoe firms. Milbank and LW are the most prominent, and they pay on the NY pay scale. I've got a couple of peers in each of the two. I'm from a Big4 and now in a Magic Circle. Lots of friends across the silver circle firms as well. After a few years in practice, you tend to get loads of price info from everywhere.

When I refer to PQE, I'm referring to the singapore scale. A 3PQE in SG is a 1.5PQE on the UK scale. I'm a 6PQE on the singapore scale, 4.5 on the UK scale.

And yes, as you can tell from the fact that I'm replying you at this godforsaken hour, the higher pay comes with a painful price. The paymasters do exact their pound of flesh.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Quite a few white shoe firms. Milbank and LW are the most prominent, and they pay on the NY pay scale. I've got a couple of peers in each of the two. I'm from a Big4 and now in a Magic Circle. Lots of friends across the silver circle firms as well. After a few years in practice, you tend to get loads of price info from everywhere.

When I refer to PQE, I'm referring to the singapore scale. A 3PQE in SG is a 1.5PQE on the UK scale. I'm a 6PQE on the singapore scale, 4.5 on the UK scale.

And yes, as you can tell from the fact that I'm replying you at this godforsaken hour, the higher pay comes with a painful price. The paymasters do exact their pound of flesh.

so what does your salary scale for the international firms refer to? a Singapore-qualified lawyer's PQE or PQE on an English solicitor's scale?

Is it difficult to jump from a big 4 to a magic circle firm?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Is it difficult to jump from a big 4 to a magic circle firm?

Yes extremely

Originally Posted by Unregistered

so what does your salary scale for the international firms refer to? a Singapore-qualified lawyer's PQE or PQE on an English solicitor's scale?

Obviously he is comparing like to like, I.e everything on the list is based on the SG PQE scale

Originally Posted by Unregistered

so what does your salary scale for the international firms refer to? a Singapore-qualified lawyer's PQE or PQE on an English solicitor's scale?

To be precise, the international firm figures I quoted are for associates who have circa 33-36 months of law firm practice experience after being called to the Singapore Bar.

Why 33 months? Because salaries are revised annually in April, whilst mass call is in July. You start taking those figures once you hit 33 months PQE (Singapore scale).

Hopefully this clears up any confusion.

As to whether it's easy to jump from a Big4 to an MC, it truly depends on your PQE at the time of application. From 1-3 PQE it's tough since you're still an untested variable with little to offer. From 4-6PQE, you're at your most mobile, since you've proven your resilience and had enough training to hit the ground running. Once you hit 7PQE, the MCs know you're applying only because you failed to get made up. Your market value irreversibly tanks, and you become very immobile.