Sole counsel = sell backside + head on chopping block if anything goes wrong.

In this current pandemic, since corporate law is going to be dead for a few years, should I go and enroll at suss to do crim and fam law?

It seems like you know something we corporate lawyers don't. Could you enlighten us as to why corporate law is going to be dead, and for a few years at that?

Salary
 

Hi all,

So let me just tell you something, usually the uni you’re from gets you your base pay.
Also dependant on your pupilage scores.

My wife is a doctor, and yes she earns way more than i can dream of.
Now is salary is your only motivation, please don’t take up the job.

Now when i started out, i was given 4.2k. This was a good 5 years.
My juniors now earn about 3.9k. Yes the industry is too saturated.
It is also dependant on your area of practise. Most commercial lawyers get about there.

Fast forwarding to this year, i earn some where between 6-9k. My wife however is pulling almost double.

Hope this helps you with an informed choice.

Regards.

Never base your long-term decisions on short term circumstances.
Do something you're passionate about. Otherwise, do something you can live with.

Also, i agree with the previous comment. Corporate lawyers may see a slight dip now, but this is unlikely to last long. I assure you that capitalist sentiments remain alive and strong in in our country.

Seeking advice here, is it a smart move to take up paralegal role in a big international firm if I cannot get a training contract?

What is the chance of transitioning from paralegal to associate? Is this uncommon or impossible?

On the side note, I will be qualified in another common law jurisdiction prior to my TC.

Don't know about other firms but in mine (MC) it is unheard of for paralegals to be converted into associates (unless there is some prior arrangement). Doesn't matter if you're qualified here or elsewhere. I even know of paralegals who came in from the big4 / mid-tier firms but never made the jump to associate. Plus, as a paralegal you're basically stuck doing admin and basic tasks forever.

Best to try your hardest to get a TC or pursue higher education.

There is a specific international firm i have in mind (only one) that has a designated paralegal-associate route... you must get hired into that route, not just apply to become a regular paralegal. I'm pretty sure it's still available (i may be wrong), but not many people know about it and they usually still require the candidate to be quite exceptional. The last person i know on this route (5 years back) got fch (low ranking uk uni) and did her rlt/tc in big4.

I largely agree with the poster above though. Apart from this route, i know of very few paralegals who make the transition over to becoming an associate. I also agree that the exposure to law is generally quite minimal.

Yep. Laterals these days from big 4 to international firms is really all too common. I would suggest you start as an assoc and then move on after gaining some experience rather than peg your chances of being an associate to the whims of your employer.

The issue with OP is that he cant get a TC at all. I don't think he's getting an offer to a big 4 anytime soon. Not being mean, just an observation.

If so, and he wants to stay in the industry, it may not be a bad idea to spend a few years as a paralegal.... but he needs to know that chances of being converted are very low... and those years are years he can't get back. He needs to face the fact that it is a gamble (with odds not in his favour), and it may be that he never gets an associate role... ever.

But if law is his life/passion/if not in this industry will die kind, then why not?