Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your helpful comments. I understand the higher upside of IB compared to law, but I'm also aware of the intense competition in finance, with less than 1% of graduates securing coveted roles. In contrast, law might offer a lower ceiling but seems to have higher average salaries than the financial field. For instance, while Big 4 law firms pay less than IB, my chances of landing a role there seem higher than securing a position in IB or a Bulge Bracket firm.

I'm also contemplating how a 9-month Oxford MFE will impact my employability, given my architecture background. From what I've seen on LinkedIn, Oxford MFE grads from Singapore with engineering backgrounds have had varied success - some securing analyst positions at Deutsche Bank with decent salaries and bonuses, while others find roles at local banks like DBS or OCBC with salaries around 5 to 6k.

For context, I am currently 23 and my ultimate fear is ending up as an insurance agent or in a sales role at a local bank like OCBC, not that there's any disrespect to those in such positions, but I feel I've put in significant effort to shift my career. This decision is quite complex, and I'm in a challenging spot. I'd appreciate any further insights, especially regarding the real-world implications of an Oxford MFE for non-experienced individuals.


Thanks again for your guidance.

You are receiving legitimate advices from several concerned posters regarding your situation. Hence I am giving my feedback from a different angle: Whether you graduate from Oxbridge/Lbs/lse , you have a good chance of securing a first round interview that's about as far as it can bring you. In addition to the technical discipline, you will be expected to demonstrate various humanities skills and personal personality in addition to looks in order to reach advanced stage of the selection process. For BB front office roles, you will be facing very stringent competition from like minded competitors. To summarize,
you must not only have confidence to be a suitable fit, buy above all else have the courage to assume the challenges ahead and take risk.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Finance without a shadow of a doubt. Oxford is a top target school for finance in both London and Sg, even at graduate level. If you know how to interview you can practically walk in to any firm/bank. Unlike law, in Sg finance in general is heavily skewed towards overseas grads.

To put it into perspective timings-wise - if you get into a very good IB in Sg straight out of your ~1 year MFE, you'd be on at least $120k base.

Whereas if you did law, it would take you at least 7 years (3 years JD, 1 year TC, ~6 months Part B, and then 3-4 PQE at B4) to get to $120k.

Your success ultimately depends on your ability, personal skills and what the universe has in store for you. While it is generally true that average junior BBB investment analysts out earn average lawyers at the Big 4, this should not bother you if you are more inclined towards law and are confident that you can handle the stress which accompanies post-grad law school and the few tough years after graduation.

Also, there are JD grads who outperform their LLB peers. A quick search on Linkedin will reveal one such legend. Man did a 2 years JD at SMU after his finance degree and was the top student of his JD cohort. He is currently a full equity partner at one of the top 5 PPEP firms. Legend achieved all this in less than 12 years (2 years JD, 2 years JLC, 2 years L and W, 5 years KL and now at his present firm).

Thanks everyone for the great feedback on my post!

Your insights about finance and law careers have been super helpful. I appreciate the detailed info on salary and career paths – it’s a lot to think about. Your advice is making my decision clearer. Cheers for taking the time to share your thoughts! I'll mull over this and make an informed choice.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Your success ultimately depends on your ability, personal skills and what the universe has in store for you. While it is generally true that average junior BBB investment analysts out earn average lawyers at the Big 4, this should not bother you if you are more inclined towards law and are confident that you can handle the stress which accompanies post-grad law school and the few tough years after graduation.

Also, there are JD grads who outperform their LLB peers. A quick search on Linkedin will reveal one such legend. Man did a 2 years JD at SMU after his finance degree and was the top student of his JD cohort. He is currently a full equity partner at one of the top 5 PPEP firms. Legend achieved all this in less than 12 years (2 years JD, 2 years JLC, 2 years L and W, 5 years KL and now at his present firm).

Oh yes K.B. Truly a brilliant mind of our generation.

Some people are very driven and a cut above the rest, regardless of what academic field

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Your success ultimately depends on your ability, personal skills and what the universe has in store for you. While it is generally true that average junior BBB investment analysts out earn average lawyers at the Big 4, this should not bother you if you are more inclined towards law and are confident that you can handle the stress which accompanies post-grad law school and the few tough years after graduation.

Also, there are JD grads who outperform their LLB peers. A quick search on Linkedin will reveal one such legend. Man did a 2 years JD at SMU after his finance degree and was the top student of his JD cohort. He is currently a full equity partner at one of the top 5 PPEP firms. Legend achieved all this in less than 12 years (2 years JD, 2 years JLC, 2 years L and W, 5 years KL and now at his present firm).

Is this Clarence Lun? Or Arvin Lee?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Is this Clarence Lun? Or Arvin Lee?

What’s the fascination here with Arvin lee? I googled him and found absolutely nothing good or bad. So what’s the beef here?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your helpful comments. I understand the higher upside of IB compared to law, but I'm also aware of the intense competition in finance, with less than 1% of graduates securing coveted roles. In contrast, law might offer a lower ceiling but seems to have higher average salaries than the financial field. For instance, while Big 4 law firms pay less than IB, my chances of landing a role there seem higher than securing a position in IB or a Bulge Bracket firm.

I'm also contemplating how a 9-month Oxford MFE will impact my employability, given my architecture background. From what I've seen on LinkedIn, Oxford MFE grads from Singapore with engineering backgrounds have had varied success - some securing analyst positions at Deutsche Bank with decent salaries and bonuses, while others find roles at local banks like DBS or OCBC with salaries around 5 to 6k.

For context, I am currently 23 and my ultimate fear is ending up as an insurance agent or in a sales role at a local bank like OCBC, not that there's any disrespect to those in such positions, but I feel I've put in significant effort to shift my career. This decision is quite complex, and I'm in a challenging spot. I'd appreciate any further insights, especially regarding the real-world implications of an Oxford MFE for non-experienced individuals.


Thanks again for your guidance.

You are not wrong to say the chances of getting Law Big 4 is much higher. FYI WP of the Big 4 takes in second lowers (bottom 30-ish%) for their Litigation department. So does DRD (the Big 4 wannabe) for Corporate Real Estate.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You are not wrong to say the chances of getting Law Big 4 is much higher. FYI WP of the Big 4 takes in second lowers (bottom 30-ish%) for their Litigation department. So does DRD (the Big 4 wannabe) for Corporate Real Estate.

Yup. Big4 + Dentons Rodyk is not difficult to get in. Nowhere equivalent to the competition for roles in the bulge bracket banks

A better comparison would be Management Associate programmes.

The chances of a law student landing a Big4+DRD TC, is roughly similar to the chance of a business student landing an MA programme spot (in any reputable company / large MNC).

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Yup. Big4 + Dentons Rodyk is not difficult to get in. Nowhere equivalent to the competition for roles in the bulge bracket banks

A better comparison would be Management Associate programmes.

The chances of a law student landing a Big4+DRD TC, is roughly similar to the chance of a business student landing an MA programme spot (in any reputable company / large MNC).

Why is DRD included with Big4? Is their NQ pay and lockstep same as Big 4?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I second. Wong P infamous SC team. Had to take time off to recover from toxicity.

I heard the new RE person SLB hired is a piece of work too. The stories I heard from my friends who were under him at his previous firms were pretty horrific