Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121391)

Agree.
It's a really shitty industry. Nice seniors and mentors are few and far between. Low pay, long hours and lots of abuse. Not to mention, there remains prejudice against mid-career professionals. I had an ex-boss who did not look at CVs of mid-career professional at all (automatic disqualification from consideration). I asked him why and he said it indicates indecision and an inability to follow through. I don't know if this is widespread, but i know it's a mindset that exists.

It's not all bad, i guess.

If you're one of those people who want to give back to society and do community law (and are able to look past the low pay, long hours and abuse) i think you could carve out a fulfilling existence within the industry. I would say that there is more room now than there was before - there's recently been a push to raise the "status" of community law lawyers. They used to be seen as the scum of the profession and would get constant abuse from their "learned friends". It's not the case anymore.

Alternatively, if you survive the first 3-7 years and move in-house, life isn't bad at all. Sure, you don't earn millions of dollars like certain SCs (and you also don't get hauled up by law soc for overcharging), but its enough to live a pretty comfortable life.

Truth is most people leave practice at pqe 3, 5 and 7 or thereabouts. Most of these people aren't "weaklings" who "can't cut it".... they simply realize that there are perhaps other things in life that are more deserving of their time (family, kids, own business, etc).

The decision you make should really depend on what you're looking to get out of this career... and more importantly what you (and your family assuming you have a partner and children) are willing to sacrifice to see you through it.

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121466)

So where do mid career switcher lawyers apply to?

Is it because the work hours are too “shiong” for the bunch of us over 30?

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121456)

This guy (Ivy Lawyer) above is a son of a bitch. He dares to call himself a lawyer. I'm Chinese and I find this offensive. Can we stop using racist references, especially in a salary forum. I would like to see him say it to someone in their face. I only wish I could expose his identity.

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121456)

This guy (Ivy Lawyer) above is a son of a bitch. He dares to call himself a lawyer. I'm Chinese and I find this offensive. Can we stop using racist references, especially in a salary forum. I would like to see him say it to someone in their face. I only wish I could expose his identity.

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121456)

This guy (Ivy Lawyer) above is a son of a bitch. He dares to call himself a lawyer. I'm Chinese and I find this offensive. Can we stop using racist references, especially in a salary forum. I would like to see him say it to someone in their face. I only wish I could expose his identity.

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121467)

In house counsel

Like what the person you quoted said, there is a dearth of good mentors in the legal industry. Most of them behave like bullies. A strict, fair and good mentor is even harder to find than Mew. After 5 years, the associates tak boleh tahan and rather move in-house. If they are going to suffer, they may as well suffer in a place with better working hours

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121475)

I spy a kindred spirit. hah.

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121467)

In house counsel

Like what the person you quoted said, there is a dearth of good mentors in the legal industry. Most of them behave like bullies. A strict, fair and good mentor is even harder to find than Mew. After 5 years, the associates tak boleh tahan and rather move in-house. If they are going to suffer, they may as well suffer in a place with better working hours

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 121499)

Am the original poster who asked the question
Yes I’m pretty intrigued, I saw some of the alumni from our local JD/GLB programs who started work after passing the bar as in house counsels

Always thought that a few years of PQE is necessary grounding for a strong foundation in a legal career, all the LinkedIn roles are always quoted in number of years of PQE