Lawyer Salary

#**17361** (**permalink**) 28-07-2022, 03:37 PM

For context I am an overseas law grad, I have been struggling with my mental health over past 2 years, but only sought help recently and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and prescribed medication a few days ago. For context I have already signed with another firm and am currently contemplating which offer to accept. (I told HR that I was leaning towards rejecting the offer but later emailed them again pleading for more time to reconsider).

Firm A: firm I just withdrew from, SG office of fairly reputable international firm
Firm B: firm that I am signed with, London office of an mid-Atlantic American firm, unsure about how its reputation is perceived in Singapore

worklife balance: assuming firm B because of country culture but honestly its probably a slog either way, also feel like if my mental health is something I have to be transparent about I would feel more comfortable speaking to employers in B as it seems less stigmatised in the UK.

support system: firm A because I am closer to close friends and family

money: Firm B likely to pay slightly more (NQ 157k gbp), not sure about Firm A because I think its a bit crass to ask about pay, but I am pretty sure I will be well paid either way so its not too much of a concern for me

quality of work: Firm A has a better reputation in the practice areas I am interested in, Firm B does the work I am interested in as well, but is more of a market leader in areas I am not currently interested in (I do recognise I should be open-minded as well at this stage)

brand name: Firm A, my long-term aim is to return to SG so I am worried that taking firm B may jeopardise my attractiveness as a lawyer especially if its not a household name (if its relevant Firm B has a SG office as well)

career: unknown? some say its good to start in London because of the relative depth of legal market and exposure to cross-border work, on the other hand I have been advised not to stay overseas too long because ideally you should be able to build stronger client relationships by starting in SG

personal aspirations: Firm B because I think it would be easier to return to SG to work from rather than the other way round, feels like it would personally be more of a challenge as well (although I am not sure being challenged is best for my mental health atm)

Would appreciate any perspectives from current lawyers about anything else I should also factor in, as well as what you all think from experience should be the most important factors!

#**17362** (**permalink**) 28-07-2022, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

For context I am an overseas law grad, I have been struggling with my mental health over past 2 years, but only sought help recently and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and prescribed medication a few days ago. For context I have already signed with another firm and am currently contemplating which offer to accept. (I told HR that I was leaning towards rejecting the offer but later emailed them again pleading for more time to reconsider).

Firm A: firm I just withdrew from, SG office of fairly reputable international firm
Firm B: firm that I am signed with, London office of an mid-Atlantic American firm, unsure about how its reputation is perceived in Singapore

worklife balance: assuming firm B because of country culture but honestly its probably a slog either way, also feel like if my mental health is something I have to be transparent about I would feel more comfortable speaking to employers in B as it seems less stigmatised in the UK.

support system: firm A because I am closer to close friends and family

money: Firm B likely to pay slightly more (NQ 157k gbp), not sure about Firm A because I think its a bit crass to ask about pay, but I am pretty sure I will be well paid either way so its not too much of a concern for me

quality of work: Firm A has a better reputation in the practice areas I am interested in, Firm B does the work I am interested in as well, but is more of a market leader in areas I am not currently interested in (I do recognise I should be open-minded as well at this stage)

brand name: Firm A, my long-term aim is to return to SG so I am worried that taking firm B may jeopardise my attractiveness as a lawyer especially if its not a household name (if its relevant Firm B has a SG office as well)

career: unknown? some say its good to start in London because of the relative depth of legal market and exposure to cross-border work, on the other hand I have been advised not to stay overseas too long because ideally you should be able to build stronger client relationships by starting in SG

personal aspirations: Firm B because I think it would be easier to return to SG to work from rather than the other way round, feels like it would personally be more of a challenge as well (although I am not sure being challenged is best for my mental health atm)

Would appreciate any perspectives from current lawyers about anything else I should also factor in, as well as what you all think from experience should be the most important factors!

Be a DPP. High salary, good worklife balance and no mental health problems

#**17363** (**permalink**) 28-07-2022, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Be a DPP. High salary, good worklife balance and no mental health problems

Just bite on those from less privileged backgrounds and you will be able to relieve stress from this. You don’t even have to be good with your arguments and subs