The Big Read: Burnt out and disillusioned, young lawyers head for the exit - and the industry is worried

  • 📰 ChannelNewsAsia
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 122 sec. here
  • 4 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 52%
  • Publisher: 66%

Singapore Headlines News

Singapore Latest News,Singapore Headlines

SINGAPORE: Like many sectors in Singapore, the legal profession was not spared the ravages of COVID-19. As the coronavirus forced borders to close and battered economies worldwide, James, an associate at a law firm, was told by his bosses in 2020 that everyone would have to tighten their belts as they

For many, working from home, as a result of COVID-19 regulations, provided them with an opportunity to reflect on their circumstances.

David, who was a trainee at that point of time, stressed that he was not ill-treated, but felt that his superiors just did not know how to support their employees during the pandemic.David eventually left the legal sector to work in investments in mid-2020. For instance, she was perpetually performing “office house-work” such as planning parties and hosting events.

When asked why she did not remain in practice by moving on to another law firm that had a bigger female representation, Jane said some had a reputation for being equally toxic. Mr Muk separately said that he could accept young lawyers leaving because of a mismatch in career expectations.Young lawyers TODAY spoke with who have recently either left practice or the legal sector altogether, cited reasons ranging from incompatibility in career aspirations, to toxic work culture, for their departure. In an email interview, Law Society’s Mr Tan said that the pandemic offered everyone a chance to have a reset and reassess their working conditions.

Mr Mark Teng, the executive director of That.Legal LLC law firm, reiterated that while digitalisation has allowed lawyers to be more efficient, it has made them a “victim of their own success”. Mr Tan said that LawSoc has kicked off a nationwide conversation about the legal profession on social media, chat groups and private discussions.

He added: “They said if that was how they were trained, then this was how I was going to be trained too, and they would be damned if I turned out to be a 'strawberry'.” The first, she wrote, is setting guidelines on the maximum number of hours lawyers should be working on average. Taking reference from standard contractual hours, she wrote that this should be about 45 hours per week.

And finally, she wrote that it would be beneficial to set up an anonymous whistleblowing hotline for exploitative and abusive firms and publish clear guidelines that define such practices and how to deal with it. But good lawyers may not necessarily make good managers, said Ms Christine Low, the director of the Peter Low & Choo LLC law firm.Ms Low said that for lawyers to become junior partners or associate directors, they will have to undergo a compulsory legal practice management course where they are taught a range of subjects, from dealing with liability, anti-money laundering regulations to conducting an elevator pitch.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 6. in SG

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Berrettini serves big to see off Carreno BustaMELBOURNE : World number seven Matteo Berrettini defeated Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5 7-6(4) 6-4 on Sunday to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time.Berrettini, coming off a marathon five-set win over Carlos Alcaraz, showed no signs of fatigue as he struck 57 winners including 28
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Young ex-lawyers left to pursue passions, in an exodus that worries legal professionWhen locals complain about companies not hiring locals n looking overseas, this is a good example of why not all job openings are filled up. Everyone has their hopes n dreams, n chase them, rightfully so. And why we still need foreign talent who do n can do the jobs left vacant.
Source: straits_times - 🏆 5. / 69 Read more »

Van Uytvanck tests positive for COVID after Australian Open exitMELBOURNE :Belgian tennis player Alison Van Uytvanck said on Sunday she had tested positive for COVID-19 after playing at the Australian Open.'My exit test in Melbourne to go back to Belgium came back positive,' she said on social media.'I'm isolating and following all of the requirements.'Van U
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Jan 22. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: straits_times - 🏆 5. / 69 Read more »