Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, currently a fourth year law student in Indonesia here.

I was wondering if it'd be worth it if I took JD from either SMU/NUS. If yes, when should I apply? After 1-2 years of experience or just apply directly after graduation?

Context: 3.9/4.0 GPA, 3 months internship experience at a mid-tier lawfirm, has decent chance of entering foreign law firms like Baker Mckenzie/Allen & Overy.

Thanks!

If you can already enter foreign law firms, just apply to the law firms. A JD here won't help you much. If you want to qualify via your JD, it will take another 5 years. Maybe think about an LLM instead.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

If you can already enter foreign law firms, just apply to the law firms. A JD here won't help you much. If you want to qualify via your JD, it will take another 5 years. Maybe think about an LLM instead.

Should add more context: foreign lawfirms in Indonesia . I have no chance of entering SG-based firms

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Should add more context: foreign lawfirms in Indonesia . I have no chance of entering SG-based firms

Singapore JD is useless for your aspirations. It is merely a Singapore LLB shortened for 3 years for the purposes of qualifying to the Singapore Bar.

It is not viewed as a true US JD. If you want a US JD to enter American firms, do a true US JD in a US law school.

If you're looking at entering UK law firms in the Indonesian market, no idea why you would you think a Singapore forum would be able to shed light on this.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Should add more context: foreign lawfirms in Indonesia . I have no chance of entering SG-based firms

You should just enter the Indonesia based Foreign Law firms and request a transfer after 5 years (the amount of time needed to do your JD + TC).

It's insane for a foreign qualified person to take 4-5 years just to qualify again, just do an LLM if you want to "whitewash" your degree.

The LLM will have the same effect as the JD but can be done in considerably less time.

And to be honest, most foreign law firms in SG do not give a **** where your degree came from, they care about pedigree of training (i.e. a foreign law Indonesia firm gives you more chance to transfer/lateral into an SG foreign law firm, than an SG JD).

how's the culture like in dentons rodyk?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

how's the culture like in dentons rodyk?

Standard big4 fare but abit more chill.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

hi, could I ask whether class of honors matter after your first job for law? will law firms continuing looking at class of honors when you try to job hop?

Generally, class of honors matter less and less as you get further into your career (once you're 4 years + in it is pretty much irrelevant) but your law school and prizes (e.g. deans list, top Part B) continue to matter because that stuff can go on your firm bio (esp for international firms).

Originally Posted by Unregistered

how's the culture like in dentons rodyk?

Incompetent

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Generally, class of honors matter less and less as you get further into your career (once you're 4 years + in it is pretty much irrelevant) but your law school and prizes (e.g. deans list, top Part B) continue to matter because that stuff can go on your firm bio (esp for international firms).

Second this. I'm only a second upper from NUS but managed to clinch a couple of book prizes and it has opened doors. I'm definitely not doing as well as JLCs or Firsts but I feel I'm generally punching above my weight.

Law is a prestige obsessed industry, especially for international firms. Build up your profile, get some publications under your belt, plus a few academic awards or Deans list (even from donkey years back) and you'll be a fairly competitive candidate. It goes without saying that you should be coming in from a big 4 at least.

Basically, think of anything that will look good on a lawyer's profile page in an international firm's website, and that should be the angle you should aim for.

Does NUS Law practice grade free semester or S/U now? If yes, how do they work?