Lawyer Salary

There are close to 5,000 Lawyers in Singapore but this sg lawyer salary forum has over 700,000 views. Which means all Lawyers prob read it plus a lot of other ppl.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am a girl and I cried too. I won’t be surprised that guys also could break down too.
And no it is not weakling or what. The pressure is just too much for anyone to handle for a mere $2-3k salary. I had to give up so many things including a recent failed relationship of 4 years. We just distant apart very quickly. Always argue. Stopped having intimacy.

It is a joke sometimes when I see my partners in firm make so much yet I am paid so little.

isn't that the case everywhere? where the top management makes high figures while the bottom one get squeezed and suffers...

end of the day, it's a business... instead of being unhappy and affected, why not think of ways to get out of the shithole soonest? progression and etc... do you think those ppl had it easy to where they are??

if you cannot stomach the stress, then pull out... it's not for you... i'm not looking down on you but everyone has their own limits and tolerance... all the best

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Front load means you get $5.6k a month for 12 months.
But actually ($5.6k x 12 = $67.2k)
$67.2k divided by 15 months = $4.48k per month.
Front load means u get $67.2k. But rightfully if without front load I only get $4.48k per month and bonus 3 months.
So once front loaded u usually no more bonus.

it's a numbers game... assuming both front loaded and "normal" yield the same amount of cash, why not take steady monthly with higher base as compared to a lump sum bonus at the end of the year...

financially prudent and can F O anytime you want

If i am going to be ad-hoc called, am i able to check whether there are a lot of applications on that day so that i do not need any mover?

Currently not in law firm.

fk up life and industry. not able to find a law firm since called, so jobless since last year. firms are only willing to offer 3k. either they reject or low ball you. what should i do?

Actly I ask u all. Most of you law kids have been model pupils. U prob had all praises in your entire school life, nothing ever went wrong.
Never criticized before.
Then when working everything changed. How do you all cope

Originally Posted by Unregistered

fk up life and industry. not able to find a law firm since called, so jobless since last year. firms are only willing to offer 3k. either they reject or low ball you. what should i do?

1) stop complaining
2) if you are smart enough intellectually to complete a law degree, surely you can decide to either
2.1) accept the 3k
2.2) f.o. and be your own boss of which you have nil experience
2.3) work in mcd
2.4) do another degree in another discipline praying that you get a better starting pay
2.5) be a freegan
2.6) buy insurance for yourself and die now so your parents and loved ones can benefit out of it.

don't come here and act pitiful can or not?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Actly I ask u all. Most of you law kids have been model pupils. U prob had all praises in your entire school life, nothing ever went wrong.
Never criticized before.
Then when working everything changed. How do you all cope

firstly, studying is different from working... when you are working, it's business... no hard feelings...

i have seen so many "model students" who goes through JC, elite schools, local uni, turned professionals...

they are very strong (technically)... but suck at client servicing... which is equally critical in becoming a professional... no point being a know it all but can't get your client to like you and hire you

[Lawyerrr]

Originally Posted by themagpie

Oh I didnt know that. Well whats the % of pay cut taken to go in house?

Do you know whats the payscale for 4-5PQE at the big 4?

I am expecting a job offer from a german MNC for an in house job in singapore so I need some data to negotiate salary.

In the absence of any indication to the contrary for your particular role, I would suggest asking for a 15% raise on top of the market rate for 4-5PQE, then prepare for a downwards negotiation from that figure.

The other posters are generally correct in saying that most people do not get a raise going in-house, although having made the move myself after negotiating with several employers this all depends on the company and industry you are in. For example, most banks will NOT offer a pay rise unless they are top-tier "brand-name" (cringe-y, but crudely put) European/US banks, i.e. Rothschild, Coutts, UBS, but NOT Citibank, Standard Chartered, etc.

A German MNC might be willing to pay you more - so assess what industry this MNC is in, and what position this company has in the market.

Note also what kind of prior experience you have, and if they are aware or place emphasis on your last-drawn salary. Having worked in several top-tier European institutions now, I can say that most are willing to give you an increment from your last drawn salary. It is reasonable to ask for (or to even expect) 7-15% up from market rates for your PQE level if you have impressed them in the interviews/have solid skills to offer.

In general, I would pretty much in no circumstance ask for more than 15% above market rate.

Hope this helps.

[Lawyerrr]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am a guy too

I stayed in practice 4.5 years. I've seen many, many guys and girls cry. There's no shame in tears here. It's a painful profession, no doubt about it.

If you are for whatever reason convinced you love practising law and really want to make partner or make law a lifelong career, then remember that the key focus is to make sure you find a way to sustain yourself for the long-haul. Find a different team, a different practice, a different firm. If you truly enjoy or want to stay in legal practice long-term, then find a team and firm you are happy in. Don't always chase the brand name firms. Make sure wherever you are, you do the best work you can in that circumstance, and leave knowing you tried your best.

The industry is sadly an elitist one, but you don't have to play that game. Remember that no matter how high you've climbed up the ladder that there will always be someone smarter, drawing a higher salary, working in a "better" firm than you. It's a combination of "luck" and attitude and aptitude, and the proportion of each of those factors is never the same for any one person.

You'll find your way eventually.