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Urgh. This thread is getting as polluted as the SIM-UOL Fresh Grad one.

It would be a shame if the fools above are actual lawyers.

This isn't a university thread so who cares what AAA or FCH you get. Do law firms pay you more if you have AAA or FCH? Correct me if I'm wrong but only legal service pays differently for FCH.

Now lets get back to crowdsourcing the details of salaries of law firms in Singapore, please.

yeah this thread is really going to the dogs man.

we have some dude who claims he studied in UK and raves about the superiority of the UK "education system" (whatever that means), but can't string together a coherent sentence in English.

we have some random M&A "banking" dude who decides to weigh in on the situation when he should be worried about getting axed.

we have pre-university students wondering if their father's uncle's daughter's car washer's husband can get them a TC because he is partner in a firm.

anything but proper useful discussion about salaries.

well you aren't going to get more news on salaries until the next batch qualifies later this year..

Great summary of the last few pages... The supposed UK law student really gets on my nerves in particular - he's certainly no reflection of what a UK student is like and he's just putting down local students for the sake of it...



Perhaps to bring the topic back on track (i.e. "lawyer salary"): We have a Straits Times report (also on SLW) on 2nd Feb saying that entry-level pay in the Big 4 has fallen to 5.5 to 6k, with the usual accompanying remark that its "just the fixed component, or base salary that has been reduced and that bonuses could make up for this". (But bonuses are never guaranteed so it's still a paycut in any case I suppose?)

How about those those in the years above this batch? They had higher entry-level pay (6.2-6.5 I believe) but does this then mean that they have seen less annual increments compared to their seniors above? Otherwise, the gap between the NQs and their seniors one year above would be more pronounced.

Also, is the post from Skydiver (in 2014) still an accurate picture, notwithstanding the lower initial pay and weaker economy today?

My ignorance arises from the fact that I'm not in the industry yet, but my questions stem from the fact that I have secured a TC in one of the Big4 (and I'm mentally prepared for starting at 5k by the time I get called). Any comments would be appreciated! :)

Yes it's about 5k but be prepared to work like a dog.

I'm in a magic circle firm. I can confirm that starting salaries for new associates are still in the 5-digits. But trainees become formal associates a little later than those in local firms.

Many of the people in my firm have valedictorian, first-class honours, multiple book prizes, mooting etc. accolades.

So to clarify, at magic circle firm, new associates at $10k+. How much they get as trainees and how long for trainee to become associate?

I'm deliberately keeping it vague. What I can say is that magic circle trainees are paid significantly better, about 40% more, than NQs in local firms.

Lol. Why so secretive? Huh huh? Okay lah, just kidding. I'm really curious. Though you make it sound like your firm delibrately ask their employees to not disclose their salaries.

I actually not in the industry. Hehe. I now work in Hong Kong and got to know my lawyer friend, from Magic Circle, paying about S$3.5k rent! And I believe it's coming out from his salary. Makes me wonder how much he's making but I can guess maybe S$12,000?

One of those days you just know you'll forever lag behind your peers. LL then suck thumb.

Do you mean trainees in Magic Circle in London or Singapore?

Since Magic Circle in Singapore only consists of CC, A&O, Links and Freshfields, of which I assume only CC takes in trainee (or have A&O and Links started offering training?) you are referring to the two-year dual qualification programme done by CC?

Wow. If their trainees are paid more than NQs, its a freaking good deal.

What I hear is some firms (Big4 and Mid-size) are removing the frontload altogether (instead of cutting outright). So whether or not there is a cut in total remuneration can only be objectively quantified next bonus season.