Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hey all, I am a 2nd year associate in a mid-sized firm. I'm kinda short, about 1.72cm, and I guess below-average looking. Been having some thoughts about whether physical appearance is important in the legal profession? Sometimes I feel like people are just not as interested in talking to me or listening to me in general.

Don’t worry, you are average not short.

That said, it’s true that many studies have concluded that taller men/women (especially men) earn more money and are more satisfied with life. Just do a quick Google search - because taller men are perceived to be stronger, more intelligent, and more like leaders. Also, there is some genetic correlation between height and intelligence, so they may just truly be more intelligent.

Source: business insider article

I read about SMU and SUSS JD Program today on ST.

I am keen to apply.

But anyone knows much about these programs?

When should I be getting my ROI?

Do employers prefer older candidates in law?

Do these graduates JD face issue with getting a training contract and job?

Are you sure? Legal practice pays a certain amount of starting pay because they know your hours are tremendously bad, and 80% of the Law cohort leave practice after 4-5 years.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I read about SMU and SUSS JD Program today on ST.

I am keen to apply.

But anyone knows much about these programs?

When should I be getting my ROI?

Do employers prefer older candidates in law?

Do these graduates JD face issue with getting a training contract and job?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Well, the question is whether they deserve the higher salary? 2 years of NS doesn’t add anything to their legal ability. Which is why I decided not to apply for legal service because it’s unfair.

Also I guess you can not compare girls to guys of the same age. After 3-4 years in Uni, we already see guys who are 2 years older as “same batch” so comparison should be between these.

It's called opportunity cost. I hope that you are an unsubtle troll and not a real student trying to becoming a lawyer. On the off chance that you are, may God have mercy on your clients if you can't even figure out something as simple as this. Do our industry a favour and exit ASAP; if you by some miracle manage to get called your name will be a stain on the roll.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Where can I find a list of firms retention rate in singapore ?
UK has such info including average hours worked

Are you out of your mind? You'll never find such a list. UK is a sophisticated legal market, Singapore is the outback by comparison. Heck, even NZ's legal market is more mature than ours and they have more sheep than people.

If we can't get even a straight answer out of SMRT on train faults, what makes you think our law firms run by dinosaurs will volunteer such information.

I'm a final year student at SMU law and my GPA is currently at the top of the cum laude range (3.4-3.59). Is there any point in trying to push my GPA up to the next degree class, magna cum laude (3.6-3.79)? I'm asking this because while I've already secured a TC, I'm wondering if GPA/degree class factors strongly if/when I'm applying for a NQ position elsewhere after I get called.

Originally Posted by monet

I'm a final year student at SMU law and my GPA is currently at the top of the cum laude range (3.4-3.59). Is there any point in trying to push my GPA up to the next degree class, magna cum laude (3.6-3.79)? I'm asking this because while I've already secured a TC, I'm wondering if GPA/degree class factors strongly if/when I'm applying for a NQ position elsewhere after I get called.

Yes grades are important for your job apps in the first 10 years of your career

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Yes grades are important for your job apps in the first 10 years of your career

Care to explain why? I think I have a decent grade yet I can't get into any international firms or Big 4. Now I may not get retained. What a tiring and uncertain journey ahead.
I also wonder if I should drop out right now.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Yes grades are important for your job apps in the first 10 years of your career

I totally agree. I respect a FCH associate way more than a C grades average second lower hons partner in my office.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I read about SMU and SUSS JD Program today on ST.

I am keen to apply.

But anyone knows much about these programs?

When should I be getting my ROI?

Do employers prefer older candidates in law?

Do these graduates JD face issue with getting a training contract and job?

Roi sucks really in this current climate.
JD is for people who are financially independent. And already successful in their original career but got bored of it and decided to fulfill their childhood dream.

I know of doctors who took smu JD. Below is an article abt an engineer who earned enuff and decided to go back to school for the fun of it.

://.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/taking-a-pay-cut-to-start-afresh-in-law

But if u have an okie career earning ∼5k, and you need the money, it will be dumb for you to join jd unless the aim is to fulfill childhood ambition. If you currently earn 2-3k, can be worth it to take up jd. Will bring your earnings up by a bit.

Think of jd as an 70k academic holiday. As an intellectual investment but definitely Not as an financial investment. Whether the 70k is worth it depends on what you want out of it. Interest , chance to go back to school.