Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

My friends tell me it is usually about 1-3 months. A couple of associates have been getting 1 month of late.

So on average, at the end of my 3rd year, a Big 4 law will earn about this ...

$5.5k + $500 + $500 = $6.5k a month.
Say 2 months bonus to even things out = round up $15k.
$6.5k * 12 + $15 = $93,000 or $7,750 a month.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

So on average, at the end of my 3rd year, a Big 4 law will earn about this ...

$5.5k + $500 + $500 = $6.5k a month.
Say 2 months bonus to even things out = round up $15k.
$6.5k * 12 + $15 = $93,000 or $7,750 a month.

It's more than that.

For a 3rd year associate, base salary at Big 4 should be between $7-8k. After bonuses, an above average performer will be earning between $100-110k. Might be higher and lower depending on your firm/department.

Which big 4 firm gives out such good bonus to juniors? I know from very close friends this doesn't happen.. Definitely not at drew.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How much are your friends getting for doing such work that requires long hours? SG$9k a month? Your answer will give the TS a better understanding of his pay out.

Sadly these are first year associates. I think the figures for their remuneration have been discussed at length in the earlier posts.

I also understand from other posters that after the first year, performance will determine overall remunerations. So those high performers with the endurance to last the long hours, I would assume be fairly remunerated. Then again this would also lead to greater pressure to meet higher billing targets which are based on "X times" the level of remuneration received to justify your presence. Don't forget with the increased competition within the legal industry, firms (even the big 4) are forced to compete on price, to work more for less.

I did not mention the pay given that my point is that, regardless of the payout, it would depend on how much the TS is willing to sacrifice/endure physically, emotionally and mentally. One of my mentors said to me: "what did you expect when a firm is willing to pay you (for example) $8k/month, at a junior level, with little to no practical experience behind your belt?".

The saving grace is that if you are capable of operating at such high levels initially, ceteris paribus, and most of your peers having left the industry, you would be in great demand amoung the firms given the 'shortfall' at the mid-level. Nonetheless, billing targets and competition would still remain.

Of course the exception to the above is that if somehow you prove to the firm that you are a 'rainmaker' as opposed to a 'grinder'. If you are able to leverage on your connections to bring business to the firm, then your presence can be justified through other means.

Overall, it simply depends on what you bring to the table: hard work, experience, or business.

What is the general perception of SMU law grads? Was reading through the thread and saw multiple comment like "SMU grads are outspoken, present themselves well but not really efficient in terms of workplace ability etc". Is this true? I've been offered a placing there and these comment really made me think twice..

Originally Posted by Unregistered

What is the general perception of SMU law grads? Was reading through the thread and saw multiple comment like "SMU grads are outspoken, present themselves well but not really efficient in terms of workplace ability etc". Is this true? I've been offered a placing there and these comment really made me think twice..

The general perception amongst industry folks is that they cannot take hardship or aren't as good as their NUS peers.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

What is the general perception of SMU law grads? Was reading through the thread and saw multiple comment like "SMU grads are outspoken, present themselves well but not really efficient in terms of workplace ability etc". Is this true? I've been offered a placing there and these comment really made me think twice..

SMU grads can get most jobs just like NUS grads don't worry. Only a select few prestigious firms like Clifford chance don't take in SMU grads

Originally Posted by Unregistered

SMU grads can get most jobs just like NUS grads don't worry. Only a select few prestigious firms like Clifford chance don't take in SMU grads

Yeap, and Allen and Gledhill

Nope, A&G does have smu grads.

what are the possible exit options for a criminal lawyer?