Lawyer Salary

I have a gen lit background but don't see myself still doing this in the long run. ive heard that in house positions tend to prefer people coming from corporate rather than disputes, I was considering whether a few years in public service would improve my prospects by allowing me to sell myself as having some insight as to the regulatory side of things. Has anyone done this (disputes -> gov -> in house) and can provide advice on how much your government experience played into landing the in house role?

Or does anyone else have any general advice for someone doing gen lit on what can be done in the next 2 or 3 years (im not desperate to jump ship asap but i dont think i wanna stick around into the partnership stage) to prepare for an exit?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have a gen lit background but don't see myself still doing this in the long run. ive heard that in house positions tend to prefer people coming from corporate rather than disputes, I was considering whether a few years in public service would improve my prospects by allowing me to sell myself as having some insight as to the regulatory side of things. Has anyone done this (disputes -> gov -> in house) and can provide advice on how much your government experience played into landing the in house role?

Or does anyone else have any general advice for someone doing gen lit on what can be done in the next 2 or 3 years (im not desperate to jump ship asap but i dont think i wanna stick around into the partnership stage) to prepare for an exit?

i'm a student so i can't answer your question, but do you mind sharing more on the aspects of liti that you find undesirable? i'm considering a TC in the liti team of a firm. i'm sure there are interesting parts about the work as well ofc, were there things you liked about liti?

i've seen listings in house positions that prefer background in liti - but sometimes they also require other specialised forms of knowledge - so i'm sure you have a fighting chance if you can sell yourself well

Originally Posted by Unregistered

i'm a student so i can't answer your question, but do you mind sharing more on the aspects of liti that you find undesirable? i'm considering a TC in the liti team of a firm. i'm sure there are interesting parts about the work as well ofc, were there things you liked about liti?

i've seen listings in house positions that prefer background in liti - but sometimes they also require other specialised forms of knowledge - so i'm sure you have a fighting chance if you can sell yourself well

Have to deal with clients who can be unpleasant and/or have unrealistic expectations. At the lower end of the spectrum you have those who think they know a little bit of the law or their 4 seconds googling just as good as your 4 year law degree and so they think they know what they are entitled to under the law and from you.

Have to deal with colleagues who don't know law or procedure and think "doesn't this seem unfair to you?" is a basis for submissions and/or somehow trumps the Rules of Court. I'm not kidding. And you are the one who has to make these submissions even though you disagree and feel really stupid when it comes out of your own mouth.

Have to deal with colleagues who are lazy and insist on breaching LPA/PCR even after you flag it to them. Then somehow you end up having to draft the show cause subs for them cos tio lawsocced. On top of all the other work you have to rush at 3am.

Have to deal with colleagues who don't like to talk in court. I legit don't understand this one. Will sit at the back of chambers like as though still a trainee. Not your file but you still have to go for PTC and hearings on their behalf cos they scared to open their mouth. Like I don't know why you are in this line of work in the first place. I hope you never get operated on by a surgeon who is scared of blood.

Don't do liti unless it's with someone who has a decent reputation. Liti work is not the problem. The work never is.

It's always the people that you have to deal with

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Have to deal with clients who can be unpleasant and/or have unrealistic expectations. At the lower end of the spectrum you have those who think they know a little bit of the law or their 4 seconds googling just as good as your 4 year law degree and so they think they know what they are entitled to under the law and from you.

Have to deal with colleagues who don't know law or procedure and think "doesn't this seem unfair to you?" is a basis for submissions and/or somehow trumps the Rules of Court. I'm not kidding. And you are the one who has to make these submissions even though you disagree and feel really stupid when it comes out of your own mouth.

Have to deal with colleagues who are lazy and insist on breaching LPA/PCR even after you flag it to them. Then somehow you end up having to draft the show cause subs for them cos tio lawsocced. On top of all the other work you have to rush at 3am.

Have to deal with colleagues who don't like to talk in court. I legit don't understand this one. Will sit at the back of chambers like as though still a trainee. Not your file but you still have to go for PTC and hearings on their behalf cos they scared to open their mouth. Like I don't know why you are in this line of work in the first place. I hope you never get operated on by a surgeon who is scared of blood.

Don't do liti unless it's with someone who has a decent reputation. Liti work is not the problem. The work never is.

It's always the people that you have to deal with

thank you for taking the time to write a detailed reply!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

i'm a student so i can't answer your question, but do you mind sharing more on the aspects of liti that you find undesirable? i'm considering a TC in the liti team of a firm. i'm sure there are interesting parts about the work as well ofc, were there things you liked about liti?

i've seen listings in house positions that prefer background in liti - but sometimes they also require other specialised forms of knowledge - so i'm sure you have a fighting chance if you can sell yourself well

Not OP, but I'm in liti in a big team and I hate it - the hours are bad, and even when they aren't (e.g. you leave work at 6), you're not really "off". Work can crop up any moment, any time, and you have to drop everything to attend to it. It's this permanent state of anxiety, that nobody in law school really warned you about. And everyone always says everything is "urgent". It takes a certain character to be able to deal with it, and thick skin.

Does a restructuring and insolvency lawyer face such "liti problems" to a lesser extent? or its the same?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Not OP, but I'm in liti in a big team and I hate it - the hours are bad, and even when they aren't (e.g. you leave work at 6), you're not really "off". Work can crop up any moment, any time, and you have to drop everything to attend to it. It's this permanent state of anxiety, that nobody in law school really warned you about. And everyone always says everything is "urgent". It takes a certain character to be able to deal with it, and thick skin.

is this disputes specific? do corporate roles have better certainty in the sense that even if there's a lot of work, you know from the get go how much there is such that you can plan your life around it / at least be mentally prepared for what the next few months will be like or is it the same?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

is this disputes specific? do corporate roles have better certainty in the sense that even if there's a lot of work, you know from the get go how much there is such that you can plan your life around it / at least be mentally prepared for what the next few months will be like or is it the same?

Actually corporate is even worse in terms of the anxiety / inability to plan your life. Things crop up anytime, clients suddenly want to sign or close tomorrow, etc. Disputes actually abit more predictable, you know when is the court hearing etc

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi can anyone share how retention usually is in the Corp departments of Big 4 + Baker? Which one has the safest retention rates/which ones want to drop-kick you out asap

Hi sorry bump

Originally Posted by Unregistered

If you're working in Singapore, sure. Fully agreed.

But if you're comparing their respective markets, the amounts you get from being a law firm parter in New York or Chicago shits all over the London MC firms. I would do it if I was a girl -> the 7 years coupled with NS is way too long, but I would totally do it if I could get it done by 26.

Another sinkie pwned by NS. Jobs for FT, NS for Sinkies.