Lawyer Salary

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone, I'm a third year student at one of the local universities and I've accepted a TC with the SG office of a MC firm. I'm interested in corporate m&a practice, and I'm thinking of reneging on my TC offer to pursue a JD at Harvard/Columbia/Stanford. The long term goal is to practice in New York or San Francisco, and eventually transition back to SG as a partner in a US firm or as in house legal counsel to a MNC.

I'm only aware of one senior who is pursuing a JD at Harvard after completing his NUS LLB, but he's heading for litigation and/or arbitration practice in the US.

Would a JD be worth it for corporate m&a practice?

You absolutely don't need a JD to work in a US firm in Singapore. Just look at the profiles of all the Singaporeans working in various firms here. Even if you somehow get a full scholarship from Harvard, that's still three years of not earning an income. And after you graduate, you will be pegged to your JD class year and will fall behind your peers in terms of seniority/pay when you come out to practice.

If the goal is to become more employable, employers will prize three years of working experience in a top corporate practice much more than a Harvard JD.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Don't believe this horse-crap. The only prestigious US firms which truly require a Harvard or Columbia JD are those which are not "international" i.e. those which have one office in the US and so are very selective but also have an extremely small intake - Cravath or Wachtell, for example.

Most other large US firms (especially those at the very top) have moved with the times and are open to hiring from a wide range of universities (including from those many would widely consider less prestigious), even non-JDs.

I'm not trying to say that there is no value in a Harvard JD, but there is the opportunity cost to consider. You can weigh for that yourself.

I'm not the poster you're replying to but why is it "horse-crap"? You're actually not in disagreement with his/her points.

He's/She's saying that Harvard JD is helpful but not necessary for top US firms. You're saying that blue-blooded firms like Cravath & Wachtell truly require a HYS JD but other US firms (even near top ones) do not.

He's/She's saying if money is no object, go for the Harvard JD. You're saying that there's opportunity costs to consider.

It may give you self-masturbatory pleasure to hurl insults at other peoples' opinions online, but do stop to think whether your oh-so-clever opposing views are really in opposition in the first place, otherwise you're just adding to the toxicity online.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm not the poster you're replying to but why is it "horse-crap"? You're actually not in disagreement with his/her points.

He's/She's saying that Harvard JD is helpful but not necessary for top US firms. You're saying that blue-blooded firms like Cravath & Wachtell truly require a HYS JD but other US firms (even near top ones) do not.

He's/She's saying if money is no object, go for the Harvard JD. You're saying that there's opportunity costs to consider.

It may give you self-masturbatory pleasure to hurl insults at other peoples' opinions online, but do stop to think whether your oh-so-clever opposing views are really in opposition in the first place, otherwise you're just adding to the toxicity online.

Lol dude, I was supporting you all the way till the last paragraph, why did you have to go "add to the toxicity online" by insulting the guy, the exact same way you just told him not to do.

Anyone know the pay & increments at bird & bird? Thanks

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Anyone know the pay & increments at bird & bird? Thanks

Birdy birdy

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Lol dude, I was supporting you all the way till the last paragraph, why did you have to go "add to the toxicity online" by insulting the guy, the exact same way you just told him not to do.

Hahaha it just goes in one big circle round and round...

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hahaha it just goes in one big circle round and round...

It’s always like…….

Mid Sized Associate.

Been with current firm (Firm C) for 5-6 months, but its increasingly toxic and I don't think I can hold out much longer. I have a 2 month notice period. I think law is not what I want to do. But i'm not ruling out switching firms.

Should I find a job 1 month after I've tendered? Or just tender.

Been with 2 firms previously.

Firm B for 1 year. Firm A for a month.

Can I leave out my time at Firm A on CV? I was previously asked about the short stint prior to applying to Firm C?

Worried that the time at Firm A would hurt my employment prospects.

Grateful for any seniors thoughts

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Mid Sized Associate.

Been with current firm (Firm C) for 5-6 months, but its increasingly toxic and I don't think I can hold out much longer. I have a 2 month notice period. I think law is not what I want to do. But i'm not ruling out switching firms.

Should I find a job 1 month after I've tendered? Or just tender.

Been with 2 firms previously.

Firm B for 1 year. Firm A for a month.

Can I leave out my time at Firm A on CV? I was previously asked about the short stint prior to applying to Firm C?

Worried that the time at Firm A would hurt my employment prospects.

Grateful for any seniors thoughts

People already replied you with fair advice.

1) Don't leave the time spent at Firm A out. Just answer them honestly.

2) Start job hunting asap if you are going to resign. Job hunting takes time, and 2 months might not even be enough.

3) You are still junior, consider applying outside of law.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Mid Sized Associate.

Been with current firm (Firm C) for 5-6 months, but its increasingly toxic and I don't think I can hold out much longer. I have a 2 month notice period. I think law is not what I want to do. But i'm not ruling out switching firms.

Should I find a job 1 month after I've tendered? Or just tender.

Been with 2 firms previously.

Firm B for 1 year. Firm A for a month.

Can I leave out my time at Firm A on CV? I was previously asked about the short stint prior to applying to Firm C?

Worried that the time at Firm A would hurt my employment prospects.

Grateful for any seniors thoughts

If you intend to quit law just quit early.
Don’t hang on till year 5 and then wonder why you’re stagnating while the rest of your peers in other fields are becoming directors and managers.
If you don’t like it now, you would not like it in the future