Lawyer Career Track in Singapore.

[Papatang]

Hi All,

Just wondering whether anyone know about details regarding the Singapore Lawyer Career track in Singapore Law industry or legal service.

If a government lawyer has been a District Judge before and now a Deputy Senior State Counsel/DPP in the Attorney General Chambers, does it mean the lawyer has been demoted? What is the pay scale for such posting like District Judge and Deputy Senior State Counsel/DPP?

Just interested!!

Cheers.

 

[Balls2U]

Not necessarily. It depends on the scale level of the person. A more senior DPP's salary could be higher than that of a junior District Judge. It's not so much a case of demotion but more a rotation basis, since they're all legal service officers. This rotation is to enable them to get a more rounded exposure.

 

[cheekenpie]

If you not Bahyi then forget about being successful lawyer.

 

[Papatang]

Thannks for that!

How about the pay scale for the Legal Officers in Singapore? Do you have any data on that? I saw one some years ago in the Straits Times newspaper about the Grade of the singapore civil service.

 

[Balls2U]

Thannks for that!

How about the pay scale for the Legal Officers in Singapore? Do you have any data on that? I saw one some years ago in the Straits Times newspaper about the Grade of the singapore civil service.

Why? Are u thinking of joining the legal service? Do u already have a legal qualification? If so, please do yourself a favour. Go into corporate by joining a reputable firm and specialise in areas like M&As, Finance or Energy related work. That's where the big bucks is. Moreover, with a few years of experience, you can join foreign MNCs as their Corporate Counsels. But u must be prepared to work your guts out. And please forget about litigation or the legal service. No future. Unless you can be as good if not better than Davinder Singh, Shammugam, Michael Hwang and other Senior Counsels. I've many lawyer friends and they all share the same sentiments.

 

[vamjok]

i have heard of lawyers living like a begger. most of them end up in other lines like teaching

 

[chinkandoo]

Yes not all lawyers make it good. Those 1-2 men small firms can barely scrap a living. If you work in those big firms, prepare to burn your weekends and personal lives away.

It's all about biz and who is able to bring in the deals, just like any sales job.

 

[Papatang]

But, how about the personal lives of government lawyers. Are they good such that they work 9-5?

Hey Balls2U, you mentioned that you have many lawyer friends. How is thier pay scale like? Are they in the government law/legal service? Normally how long per day they work? How is thier pay scale like in the government sector?

I am not going into legal service, but want to know about the lives of lawyers. They paint a glamourous picture of lawyer. Sometimes, or most of the time, looks can be decieving. I am contented with my life in Oz.

 

[Balls2U]

But, how about the personal lives of government lawyers. Are they good such that they work 9-5?

Hey Balls2U, you mentioned that you have many lawyer friends. How is thier pay scale like? Are they in the government law/legal service? Normally how long per day they work? How is thier pay scale like in the government sector?

I am not going into legal service, but want to know about the lives of lawyers. They paint a glamourous picture of lawyer. Sometimes, or most of the time, looks can be decieving. I am contented with my life in Oz.

Look, all I can say is that if u want a decent life where u can return home before 8pm every nite, a legal career is not for u! Those lawyer friends of mine work their guts out everyday and I hardly get to meet up with them since they started practice. Never mind whether it's corporate or litigation. And don't think that life with the legal service is good. Maybe 10 years ago, but not anymore. I heard that DPPs and District Judges work equally late. DPPs are no different from litigation lawyers as they've to prepare their cases for hearing, attend court hearings and do submissions. Likewise for judges, they've to hear cases and take their own notes (unlike in the states where their clerks will do that). Then they'll have to write judgements themselves and also if they are on duty, they'll have to hear chamber applications.

So, if u want a decent and peaceful and balanced life, think of another career. Forget about the prestige of being a lawyer and the monetary returns you'll be getting. Life is short! Spending time with your family and love ones is more important that slogging like a silly dog at work for some financial gains which u may not even get to enjoy because of the lack of time.

 

[Papatang]

Hey Balls2U,

Well said!! You know the secret of happiness.

Think my curiosity is cleared now.

I am happy too!! So far so good in OZ!

Take care mate!!

 

[Soul_Reaper]

Yes not all lawyers make it good. Those 1-2 men small firms can barely scrap a living. If you work in those big firms, prepare to burn your weekends and personal lives away.

Even working for a big law firm dun guarantee you will make good money.
I know of a lady lawyer from a medium size law firm who had to moonlight as a bass guitarist after office hours as her pay money no enough.
Sometimes when money is especially tight she oso provides FL services.

 

[allanlee]

Even working for a big law firm dun guarantee you will make good money.
I know of a lady lawyer from a medium size law firm who had to moonlight as a bass guitarist after office hours as her pay money no enough.
Sometimes when money is especially tight she oso provides FL services.

Psssst..... can pass her contact?
Any FR?
Wats the damage?

 

[scroobal]

Playing the bass guitar or anything along musical lines is nothing new for these professions. Its a passion and an opportunity to seek some relief and pay for the drinks. Medicals doctors have done that. I remember an RI boy who was a doctor doing that. I think his name was Malcolm Mah. No lawyer is going to provide FL services as it enough to be stuck of the registrar.

Ladies who want to raise a family normally pick up a job as Legal person in an MNC etc.

I however do agree that not all lawyers do make it and some actually struggle. In the main, it pays well and like all professions it requires licensing and naturally is at the upper lever in the income bracket.

The Singapore Legal Service due to past levels of attrition is now on a different payscale and they are very well paid. So much so that those with 10 or more years seldom leave. The best part is that unlike the counterparts in private sector, they can comfortably do the job within office hours.

Even working for a big law firm dun guarantee you will make good money.
I know of a lady lawyer from a medium size law firm who had to moonlight as a bass guitarist after office hours as her pay money no enough.
Sometimes when money is especially tight she oso provides FL services.