Very good CSI lol. Cant be a lawyer right, the OP who made the naughty comment

Moving to bigger firms 3PQE
 

Hi seniors, what is the salary to expect for in-house role in the Banks?

2PQE corp assoc, with medium sized practice, below market rate salary (Chinatown level pay, but not in a chinatown firm). FCH, not a very good overseas uni.

I think I’m currently at a sweatshop with no prospects and future. Jaded with the management, although I like 1-2 of the JPs I’ve worked with that have provided adequate mentorship

Recent events have made me want to leave practice/moving sometime in Mar 2023 to go in-house, or getting to Big 5, or those on the larger end of the medium size practices, or international.

Applications wise,

1. Notice in my contract is 2 months. How far ahead should I put the commencement date

2. Should I mention to prospective interviewers I am planning on a holiday which explains for a later start date?

3. Shortly after I signed contract with my firm, I was shortlisted by a Big 4 (which I won’t specify) interview. Unfortunately I had to turn the interview down and informed that Big 4’s HR. I felt it was bad of me to just attend the interview since I’ve already signed on my my current firm. Would I be black listed if I try to reapply there? I have been with my current practice for >6 mths. I never seriously believed I would get called up by a Big 4, as I’m from a not very good overseas uni, which was why I signed contract with my current firm.

Leaving my job
 

Hi all,

2PQE corp assoc here in a small-mid size practice. Salary wise grossly underpaid and I think I’m probably doubtful about the future direction of the firm.

While I’ve had good guidance from 1-2 partners, I’ve not quite liked the senior partners I’ve had to work with. They’re the needy sort and barely know what they’re doing. I have started to dread going into office.

My salary is chinatown rate (but this is not a chinatown firm)

Looking to leave my current firm sometime in March/April/May 2023 or completely not renew PC and move out of practice.

1. What is the salary scale for going into in-House. Hoping to move to the Banks if such opening arises.

2. My notice is 2 months. Would it be reasonable to give a slightly later start date, as I plan to go holiday after quitting my job.

3. Before signing on my with present firm (this is not my first move), I had been called up for an interview with Big 4. However I had already signed my contract with my current firm and informed Big 4’s HR I could no longer proceed with the application. It would be about a year or so, come 2023. Would I be blacklisted? At that point I never believed I would secure an interview with B4. By the time I signed the contract the interview invite came. I am an FCH from a not prestigious foreign uni. I have no strings to pull, and well pretty much spent my life in small to medium size firms.

4. Is it acceptable to ask about hybrid working arrangements at the interview? Been pretty much in everyday now.

Salary for 2-3 PQE in house
 

Thinking of moving in house, currently 2PQE.

What would be market rate? 6-7k?

Big5 application
 

Hi all, looking to lateral into a larger firm that does corp

1. How advanced should I be starting to apply at Big 4/MLS/WKW/SLB/DRD if I hope to leave in May/June 2023. My notice period is 2 months.

2. I am currently in a small firm, corp with 1+ PQE going 2. Unfortunately by the time I was shortlisted to interview with a B4, I had already signed the contract with my current firm. I had to write back to B4 HR rejecting the interview. I felt it would be bad of me to attend the interview if I already signed my contract. Would I be blacklisted if I try reapply again. It would be almost a year since I turned down B4’s interview.

3. What about Lee and Lee or any FLA corp teams?

Grateful for seniors guidance as I don’t see a future with my firm anymore.

Please avoid Lee & Lee. NQ pay is only 5k, you would probably be offered 6k but you could get 8k if you joined the Big 5.

Did you mean "expensive" lawyers, if so how much hourly rate is considered ex - $500, $1k, or more? Fyi, there are other industries, that can command the same per hourly ;)

Or you mean non-practising lawyers?

Market rate for TC
 

Currently being paid $2k to do my TC in a small-mid size firm. Workload is pretty intense, am billing around $8-12k monthly for the firm. Not sure if I’m being lowballed or if $2k is a normal TC rate for small/mid size firms?

Would it be possible to negotiate for a higher allowance (I still have a few more months left in my TC)? Also, curious to know if TC rates are much higher at the bigger firms?

Sorry 2 points: 1) 2k as trainee is as trite as contract law first thing test you is offer and acceptance. My partner with 20 years in the industry told me that his pupilage pay is 2k as well. Make of it what you will but dont’t think you’re short changed with the market rate.

2) 8-12k billed isn’t even close to what b4 trainees are billing out to clients. The trainee in my team shared that his billable hit the 60k range during lul period.

You want to nego for more pay during TC is your prerogative. But I don’t think your 8-12k billable will convince your partner to bump you up a grade.

Imo don't bother. It's not enough money to justify fussing over it (esp as a trainee). Focus on getting a better paying role after your TC.