Lawyer Salary

Hi, will be graduating from nus law this semester. I have gotten the role of an associate at a small law firm, paying 2.8k which will be increased to 3.4k in the 2nd year. No bonuses or sorts in the first 2 years. Should i accept?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, will be graduating from nus law this semester. I have gotten the role of an associate at a small law firm, paying 2.8k which will be increased to 3.4k in the 2nd year. No bonuses or sorts in the first 2 years. Should i accept?

Sounds like a troll post. You’ll be doing the bar exams after and it’s only in rare cases that they offer associate role before you have even started your traineeship.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I've graduated with a law degree from NUS last year and am currently drawing a monthly salary of $3,800 in my current firm. The amount of work that I do does not justify such a low pay. Should I leave and find employment elsewhere?

I've never heard of any NUS law peer who has ever accepted a 3.8k legal associate job offer. Any Chinatown firm will pay you 4.2 to 4.5k at least, with the caveat that there's no guaranteed yearly increment. But if your predicament is indeed true, then I doubt your sorry excuse of a firm will be looking at giving you guaranteed yearly increments anyway

Please find somewhere else. It's utterly insulting to have graduated from NUS law and working in such a firm. And way below what the market will pay even for the absolute lousiest NUS grad who is not a third class honours (and therefore barred from practising).

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Sounds like a troll post. You’ll be doing the bar exams after and it’s only in rare cases that they offer associate role before you have even started your traineeship.

I'm not trolling man. In the midst of the first 2 years I will be pursuing the bar exams and getting paid for that amount.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm not trolling man. In the midst of the first 2 years I will be pursuing the bar exams and getting paid for that amount.

An NUS law grad doesn't take 2 years to pass the bar and/or finish his TC and get qualified as a lawyer. Want to troll also try harder la

Even then, you're telling us that your firm is passing off unqualified law grads as Associates to its clients? Come, tell us which firm it is. I'll report your firm to Minlaw for you and that should solve your dilemma as to whether you should stay.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm not trolling man. In the midst of the first 2 years I will be pursuing the bar exams and getting paid for that amount.

Okay I believe you
Now covid understandable.
But divorces on the rise. If you consider doing family law and POHA, maybe slightly better

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Okay I believe you
Now covid understandable.
But divorces on the rise. If you consider doing family law and POHA, maybe slightly better

The reason for the low pay for the first 2 years because I am given time off to study.

Thats why just asking for opinion or just reject it

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The reason for the low pay for the first 2 years because I am given time off to study.

Thats why just asking for opinion or just reject it

what does that even mean, time off to study? you are paid for your time that won't include the bar exam study time anyway, no TC will include bar exam time and then include a 'discount' because someone is studying for the bar??

unless you are taking some part time master's course during the 2 years or sth?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

what does that even mean, time off to study? you are paid for your time that won't include the bar exam study time anyway, no TC will include bar exam time and then include a 'discount' because someone is studying for the bar??

unless you are taking some part time master's course during the 2 years or sth?

It's like a part time arrangement with the office until I pass the bar exam, after which I'm obliged to work with them for a few years.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Like if you're in a mid sized firm with normal office hours, fine, that's sustainable in the long run

But if you're in B4 and feel like dying everyday, and have to take a 20-40% pay cut to preserve your sanity, why not?

I see many postings for in house on LinkedIn everyday

40% cut is a huge lifestyle change for a junior btw. The drop is even bigger for international firms. Not all in house roles are made the same