Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Are law degree holders allowed to apply for MA programmes? (e.g. Bloomberg, JP etc) And what are the chances that one gets offered the position?

I'm quite sure they are quite interested in Law degree holders, especially those with some background in accounting or finance (especially compliance or FSR). I was offered but I rejected (and this was when I was still a student).

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I found it the other way round surprisingly. People in university were intensively competitive because everyone was fighting for the same few opportunities (moots, training contracts, subject prizes) but once qualifying, people were much less pressured as the competition becomes bounded by your department. A litigation associate isn’t fighting in the same market as a finance associate. Of course I could have got very unlucky in school and very lucky in work but remember that school is truly competitive (akin to a sports contest) where everyone roughly sits the same exams, but in the real world everyone is working on different cases and deals!

It is cut-throat in litigation though, your learned friends who were once your good buddies can become the dirtiest players in the game, partly due to the adversarial system which puts pressure to "win". And also, clients that will blame and refuse to pay the lawyers if the lawyers lose.

Originally Posted by TorontoLaw

Hi I am currently a first year associate practising corporate law in an international law firm in Toronto. I am interested in lateraling to Singapore. What would be the average salary for a corporate lawyer in a local vs. international firm? Thanks.

Honestly, my best advice is to stay in Toronto, the working hours in Singapore are crazy and the pay is not commensurate with international standards (the only good thing is lower tax).

For first year assocs in the local Big4, I'll just ballpark it at 6k (but Wongp recently cut salaries). For first years at half-internationals (like Baker), you can expect 7.5k. For the Clifford Chance type firms you'll generally need to do their UK TC (trainee pay is high though), or get a PQE cut, but I am not sure about lateral-ing in for a Canadian lawyer (but I actually assume it's easier than for a SG lawyer).

Originally Posted by Unregistered

In general NUS/SMU > Oxbridge > University of Toronto >>>>>>>>> kcl. I reckon you should be alright, why not go ahead and apply? Are you Canadian or ABC?

Why the interest in moving to Singapore, is it the lure of the exotic nubile Singapore Girl on SIA advertisements? I'm afraid to burst your yellow fever bubble but most local girls are far from that.

but can get a lot of free sex here

Originally Posted by Unregistered

but can get a lot of free sex here

Lol... is that why my canadian abc colleague is in my firm n always hanging out w a chinese sg girl

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Honestly, my best advice is to stay in Toronto, the working hours in Singapore are crazy and the pay is not commensurate with international standards (the only good thing is lower tax).

For first year assocs in the local Big4, I'll just ballpark it at 6k (but Wongp recently cut salaries). For first years at half-internationals (like Baker), you can expect 7.5k. For the Clifford Chance type firms you'll generally need to do their UK TC (trainee pay is high though), or get a PQE cut, but I am not sure about lateral-ing in for a Canadian lawyer (but I actually assume it's easier than for a SG lawyer).

Thank you very much for the advice and honest response.

What is the expected billable hour target per annum for an associate at an international firm? How about Local Big 4?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank you very much for the advice and honest response.

What is the expected billable hour target per annum for an associate at an international firm? How about Local Big 4?

1000 for international law firm. 2500 for big 4

Originally Posted by Unregistered

1000 for international law firm. 2500 for big 4

International firms have lower billable hours than Local Big 4? Does the 2500 also include non-billable hours?

Originally Posted by TorontoLaw

International firms have lower billable hours than Local Big 4? Does the 2500 also include non-billable hours?

International law firms pretend to focus on non billable. Local firms hardly do non billable

You work much harder in local firms. If you are a slouch and want to earn money and enjoy pretending then international firm is good for you

Originally Posted by Unregistered

1000 for international law firm. 2500 for big 4

This is nonsense. Local big4, UK and global firms (e.g. bakers) usually have a target of around 1.8k - 2k PA (i.e. 7.5-8h/d). US firms might have a higher target but also pay way more. Targets don't always determine your hours though - that entirely depends on your team. My team doesn't work overly long hours (think 8-9pm on average) despite a 2k target, while I've heard of others (especially in local firms) working past midnight regularly despite a lower target.