Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Ivy Law

I am a PQE 3 lawyer, who is specialised in civil and commercial litigation.

I am thinking of setting up my own chinatown 1 man law firm.

Anyone here has done so? Is it likely for me to make more money than being employed by big4?

I looked at my billables and I generated alot of money for the firm. However, I only get paid a small fraction of it.

If I go out on my own, is it very hard to find clients?

I have seen lawyers clandestinely handing out their name cards to applicants at community pro bono centers even though doing so is prohibited. Some of these centers pay a decent honorarium (250 - 350 for 2.5-3 hours?). I guess that's a way of building one's books?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have seen lawyers clandestinely handing out their name cards to applicants at community pro bono centers even though doing so is prohibited. Some of these centers pay a decent honorarium (250 - 350 for 2.5-3 hours?). I guess that's a way of building one's books?

If I get caught giving out name cards, what is the penalty? Will they report me to law society? It seems hard getting good paying clients at such places. Most of them are suckers looking for free legal advice.

I wonder if it is against professional conduct rules to pay referral fees to other small firms to refer their clients to me, assuming that these firms do not practice litigation?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Honestly just go on linkedin and message any of them and they will be more than happy to chat. I am at one of those two firms and if someone messaged me and they were sincere I'd be more than happy to provide advice or even have a coffee.

Don't bluff leh you are from waste time firm Dentons

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Does anyone know what trainee/NQ pay at WithersKhattarWong is?

So low, trainee gets 7.5K, NQ 9K, even 5 yrs PQE still get less than 15K

Originally Posted by Ivy law

If I get caught giving out name cards, what is the penalty? Will they report me to law society? It seems hard getting good paying clients at such places. Most of them are suckers looking for free legal advice.

I wonder if it is against professional conduct rules to pay referral fees to other small firms to refer their clients to me, assuming that these firms do not practice litigation?

Not sure if they will report you to law soc apart from blacklisting you. But then again, most of these centers are run by employees/volunteers who defer to the lawyers, closing an eye whenever such things happen.

From my previous experience as a student volunteer several years back, some of these suckers wouldn't mind paying if they are roused up enough and the "estimated" costs fall within their budget. Guess this is the reason why some 20-30 PQE sole props are still actively involved in these projects.

is AshurstADT financing team better than big 4 in terms of work and pay? how much do trainees and NQs get paid? is their culture good?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

is AshurstADT financing team better than big 4 in terms of work and pay? how much do trainees and NQs get paid? is their culture good?

15k 10 char

what is nrf/ascendant trainee/nq pay?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

15k 10 char

Sounds quite low. This is less than NQ pay for Dechert / White & Case / Shearman / Milbank.

Don’t think i’ll accept

Originally Posted by Unregistered

what is nrf/ascendant trainee/nq pay?

10k since it is an intl firm hokay