Lawyer Salary

Hello, junior lawyer called in 2020 looking for some advice from the laojiaos here

I am currently working in one of the pseudo international firms in a corp practice. Pay is decent for a junior assoc but hours are long (regularly 2/3 am and havent had a day of leave since starting as a trainee). It is not so much the long hours which are the deal breaker but rather also I find that my own development has stagnated and also I dont see a very long runway for the area of law I am practising.

I have been looking around and considering my options and grateful if a senior here can offer some advice from a career development perspective:

(1) moving to another practice in a B4 firm - from what I understand, despite meagre pay for the long hours, working in a B4 firm really builds up the skills and competency levels of the juniors. was wondering whether it is timely for a soon-to-be 1PQE to join one of the more up-and-coming practices such as funds or fintech etc.

(2) moving to the same/similar practice in an international firm - pay is definitely better and I understand that a number of international firms are hiring associates at my seniority because I am nearing that 2 year mark since I started training which is the end of the 2-year training period for a UK lawyer.

Thanks in advance!

Hows the market perception of associates now as between the B4 firms? asking from the perspective of a junior lawyer focusing on career progression

hallo junior associate called in 2020 here looking for some advice from the seniors on the forum

in your experience, which is a better move from a development and career progression standpoint:

(1) moving to one of the more 'up-and-coming' practices such as funds, fintech etc. in a B4 local firm

(2) moving to a more 'traditional' practice such as banking in an international firm.

(2) offers a much better pay package of course, but I have heard that lawyers who have trained in B4 are viewed better by the market due to the more rigorous training (and workload).

Grateful for your thoughts!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hows the market perception of associates now as between the B4 firms? asking from the perspective of a junior lawyer focusing on career progression

A&G
The others

Originally Posted by Unregistered

hallo junior associate called in 2020 here looking for some advice from the seniors on the forum

in your experience, which is a better move from a development and career progression standpoint:

(1) moving to one of the more 'up-and-coming' practices such as funds, fintech etc. in a B4 local firm

(2) moving to a more 'traditional' practice such as banking in an international firm.

(2) offers a much better pay package of course, but I have heard that lawyers who have trained in B4 are viewed better by the market due to the more rigorous training (and workload).

Grateful for your thoughts!

Pick something that you at least like doing. If you hate regimentation, banking will kill you. If you hate everything, then go for the money.

What international firm are you taking about? Latham? CC? Ashurst? DRD? No one is gonna **** on your training if you go to the first couple and their peers.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It's a small-midsize boutique firm formed from past big4 associates. They caused a hoo-ha when they started because the partners started the firm at 3PQE (the minimum required without Minlaw approval). They expanded quite fast at the start.

However, recently I think some of the corp dept (their head at least) had some dispute (or maybe just decided to leave).

Heard wmh pays their staff and associates very well, i was told even last year during covid they have received good increments and bonus.

Why not go in-house? Same legal skills, provide solutions to business, and without being assessed on your hourly billings?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

hallo junior associate called in 2020 here looking for some advice from the seniors on the forum

in your experience, which is a better move from a development and career progression standpoint:

(1) moving to one of the more 'up-and-coming' practices such as funds, fintech etc. in a B4 local firm

(2) moving to a more 'traditional' practice such as banking in an international firm.

(2) offers a much better pay package of course, but I have heard that lawyers who have trained in B4 are viewed better by the market due to the more rigorous training (and workload).

Grateful for your thoughts!

join TMT practice in intl firm

your exit options will be really good

Originally Posted by Unregistered

join TMT practice in intl firm

your exit options will be really good

Agree. Don't even need to be locally qualified. Can still advise on data privacy. Easy peasy.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

R u sexist n anti special needs ppl

I take my fch from my delisted law school out and paste it on my 4head while walking my dog sometimes