Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Our law president saying he does not know why Lawyers are leaving the industry in such large numbers was ROFL. It's because billable hours have gone up, too many fat cats are at the top, wages have been depressed too long and lawyers are being slave-driven to new heights year on year. It's not bloody rocket science. Pay us higher and give us less work you dingbat.

His contradictory speech about how lawyers now are constantly connected, and have pressures of being constantly on the job, while simultaneously "shaming" lawyers for not "being married to their jobs" and saying that younger lawyers now want "family time" is also laughable. Oh no, it's unimaginable for my young Assocs to want to have a life, what will happen to the Partners' pockets if we can't oppress our Assocs for gain?

Also, this puts to rest the false notion of a glut. 697 lawyers were called last year, and 538 lawyers left the profession, meaning that there was only an increase of 150-odd lawyers to the profession. There is going to be an undersupply soon (which is already happening now - see the increase in salaries and the difficulties for medium sized firms to find assocs). I wonder just how much more of a undersupply would happen once Part B starts becoming harder.

Visit r/antiwork. So many resignation and attrition issues can be solved with simply paying more and/or giving less work. But of course the fat cats won't consider that unless their hands are forced.

Is the law soc pres a fatcat?

How come he dunno the reason why young lawyers r leaving har? He act blur feign ignorance ah. So fake leh.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Visit r/antiwork. So many resignation and attrition issues can be solved with simply paying more and/or giving less work. But of course the fat cats won't consider that unless their hands are forced.

It's also about the hearsay mistreatment of juniors. This has remained largely unaddressed, if true, which I do not comment on. If these hearsay rumours are in fact true, I don't think a pledge is sufficient. The pledge's existence appears to confirm that there are such instances.

It shouldn't be an embarrassment to acknowledge the working conditions of juniors. Australia has done it expressly in their professional conduct rules and it is generally acknowledged that bullying is commonplace in barrister circles, with 33% saying that they have been subject to bullying. 1 in 3 barristers confidentially surveyed said they have been the victim of bullying, Oxbridge grads included.

We can do better. I accept that this is par for the course to some extent in a high pressure environment and people under stress are not the most reasonable - we are all flawed, but if these stories were true, I do hope we make some changes towards a better profession. Don't pass the buck and say "take the pain now and dish it out later". Times are changing but the disconnect between seniors and juniors appears to be widening.

To the powers that be - I say this with the best of intentions and I have no dog in this fight. Don't just be the change you want to see in the world, drive that change for the benefit of all.

You kept saying “ if these stories were true”

Are you even a lawyer? how come you never experience such stories?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

if you read it properly - he obviously meant to say they "no" longer have lockstep system.

Can anyone confirm that Wongp no longer has lockstep system?

I am looking to join but would not want to risk not getting promoted and then waste a year for nothing.

Wouldn’t the culture be super competitive adding onto the toxic nature of the industry?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It's also about the hearsay mistreatment of juniors. This has remained largely unaddressed, if true, which I do not comment on. If these hearsay rumours are in fact true, I don't think a pledge is sufficient. The pledge's existence appears to confirm that there are such instances.

It shouldn't be an embarrassment to acknowledge the working conditions of juniors. Australia has done it expressly in their professional conduct rules and it is generally acknowledged that bullying is commonplace in barrister circles, with 33% saying that they have been subject to bullying. 1 in 3 barristers confidentially surveyed said they have been the victim of bullying, Oxbridge grads included.

We can do better. I accept that this is par for the course to some extent in a high pressure environment and people under stress are not the most reasonable - we are all flawed, but if these stories were true, I do hope we make some changes towards a better profession. Don't pass the buck and say "take the pain now and dish it out later". Times are changing but the disconnect between seniors and juniors appears to be widening.

To the powers that be - I say this with the best of intentions and I have no dog in this fight. Don't just be the change you want to see in the world, drive that change for the benefit of all.

W t f is " hearsay mistreatment of juniors."? issn't this an universal truth of the industry?

Why do the same few firms keep posting trainee ads? What other red flags to look out for?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

W t f is " hearsay mistreatment of juniors."? issn't this an universal truth of the industry?

Lol he don't want to get POFMA'ed or sued la lol - see his "which I do not comment on" statement, but that's so weird because who is going to police such general statements anyway?

Unless our Law Minister is lurking in the forums too LOLOL.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Why do the same few firms keep posting trainee ads? What other red flags to look out for?

This one not really a red flag la, smaller firms generally cannot find good candidates (compared to the large midsizes/b4) and must keep posting just to attract applicants. They are not posting because people keep quitting LOL.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

This one not really a red flag la, smaller firms generally cannot find good candidates (compared to the large midsizes/b4) and must keep posting just to attract applicants. They are not posting because people keep quitting LOL.

Honestly no trainee or junior lawyer should work in a small firm. Most of their standards are to sh itty for a junior to start his or her career and you will pick up many bad habits and poor practices.

There are a few good boutique firms founded by able practitioners, but it is rare. The vast majority are mediocre. The poor brand name of a small firm also "taints" your CV for a long time.

All junior doctors start their HO and MO in large public hospitals and not your small neighbourhood GP clinic where they train with the benefit of institutional expertise. The same reason should be applied to starting your career in law.

We should ban small firms (<20 lawyers) from taking on trainees and junior lawyers.

There is a place for small firms in the market (at the price point for less wealthy clients/corporations), but lawyers should only join them at a mid-to senior experienced stage.