Lawyer Salary

Is that a general qn or is there something that you've heard that led you to the belief that DRD is a sunset firm? My understanding is that DRD actually bills more than the London office, and pay is competitive or even better than some B4.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I’m the OP. English qualified US firm associates in the UK have to do a 2 year TC. I was a 1Y associate in SG, and I was a 1Y associate in my firm in London. In a way, it wasn’t possible to cut my PQE because I’m 1Y. You may get a PQE cut if you move as a 2Y from SG but I can’t say with certainty as I don’t know anyone personally.

I know of someone who was a NQ (only with RLT + TC) in SG, and immediately taken as a 1Y associate with a US firm in the UK. That person got a PQE jump in a way, as other 1Y associates in the firm would have 2 years of training under their belt, while they had 1 year.

It’s also possible for you to be a 1Y in SG, and ask to be pegged as a 2Y for an associate role in a US firm. My recruiter was the one who suggested it but I wasn’t keen because for marginally more pay, there are higher expectations placed on you as a 2Y. I think it’s more important to look at the deals you’ve been placed on, and your levels of involvement on each deal instead of solely focusing on PQE. Someone may have 1 year more experience than you but they could’ve worked on less deals than you during their training or only really handled administrative tasks as opposed to drafting/project management. Don’t sell yourself short! I’ve found that firms in the UK are a lot more flexible with PQE but I’m aware that similar US firms in SG are not the same and would not take you as a 1Y in SG.

are you uk-educated? won’t it be hard to sell to london firms if you have only nus/smu on your cv(no uk exp)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

are you uk-educated? won’t it be hard to sell to london firms if you have only nus/smu on your cv(no uk exp)

Dont feed the troll. OP clearly is from local uni and struggling in local firm earning local pay, but having a heallthy dose of fantasy

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Is that a general qn or is there something that you've heard that led you to the belief that DRD is a sunset firm? My understanding is that DRD actually bills more than the London office, and pay is competitive or even better than some B4.

Source? Where did the moolah go in 2020 when they forced another paycut. DRD is doing so well now? Or to the partners' pockets?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Dont feed the troll. OP clearly is from local uni and struggling in local firm earning local pay, but having a heallthy dose of fantasy

What makes you think so? OP could clarify
It could be true, but he could be from UK uni. Not that possible to jump so early with no experience and no llb jd llm from UK or US.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

are you uk-educated? won’t it be hard to sell to london firms if you have only nus/smu on your cv(no uk exp)

Yup I have a UK LLB (not Oxbridge though). The partners asked me about my time at university during my interview.

I know someone from NUS B4 who’s moved to a MC firm in London at 2+ PQE so it’s definitely possible. If you do cross border transactions and/or have worked on English law deals whether it’s as local counsel or deal counsel, these could be selling points to London firms as well.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Is that a general qn or is there something that you've heard that led you to the belief that DRD is a sunset firm? My understanding is that DRD actually bills more than the London office, and pay is competitive or even better than some B4.

Dentons, like Bakers and DLA Piper, are in the category of "McDonalds" firms in London. Many franchises worldwide, but reputation is by no means MC or SC level. Not saying they aren't solid mid tier firms. But then, the City is chock full of solid mid tier firms.

Difference is, in the Singapore market, being the white worshippers that we are, glue yourself onto any tom dick and harry angmoh firm and you'll instantly gain a boost of outsized prestige.

In the Singapore market, Rodyk's standing is exactly what it is: number 5. This has been the case for decades since the merger with HelenYeo, and will continue to remain so for the foreseeable future, irrespective of the Dentons' branding.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Dentons, like Bakers and DLA Piper, are in the category of "McDonalds" firms in London. Many franchises worldwide, but reputation is by no means MC or SC level. Not saying they aren't solid mid tier firms. But then, the City is chock full of solid mid tier firms.

Difference is, in the Singapore market, being the white worshippers that we are, glue yourself onto any tom dick and harry angmoh firm and you'll instantly gain a boost of outsized prestige.

In the Singapore market, Rodyk's standing is exactly what it is: number 5. This has been the case for decades since the merger with HelenYeo, and will continue to remain so for the foreseeable future, irrespective of the Dentons' branding.

you're probably quite right in re no. 5 position and mcdonalds. Baker was known as the McD of law firms maybe ten years ago - now their pay is somewhere between local b4 and true international.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Source? Where did the moolah go in 2020 when they forced another paycut. DRD is doing so well now? Or to the partners' pockets?

paid back in full actually. same as wongp and other firms who levelled paycuts during CB etc.

How long or how many years will it take for me to reach 8k-10k salary per month? I'm currently a student overseas but I am concerned about paying off the 150k debt.