INDUSTRY SECTORS
Law L
aw’s an exciting but competitive career, and the rewards are good if you enjoy challenges and thrive on hard work. Specialisation is also becoming increasingly important for medium to larger firms of solicitors, particularly in areas such as insolvency, litigation and employment law. In this sector, experience in corporate or commercial law, renewable energy and commercial contracts procurement is likely to help career progression. However, in order to practise law in Singapore, candidates must be either a Singaporean or Singapore permanent resident, have a second class honours law degree or higher and be admitted to the Singapore Bar.
You’ll need… • Analytical skills • Communication skills • The ability to work under pressure • To be highly committed • Solid networking skills
Types of employers • Private practice • In-house corporate solicitors’ departments • Public sector
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directory 2022
Job-hunting tips In order to be admitted to the Singapore Bar, graduates must first serve a practise training period under a qualified lawyer – unless an exemption is procured. Obtaining practise trainee positions with the more renowned law firms is a highlycompetitive scramble in the Little Red Dot, so networking and strengthening relationships with contacts is a must.
Work experience • Consider taking up paralegal jobs as a student to meet contacts and form networks within the legal sphere • Hopefuls can also get involved in areas where legal knowledge is always welcome, such as an internship with a political campaign, or joining an NGO or social work organisation
Deadlines Certain firms hire year-round, while others have fixed recruitment dates. Check their websites for specific details.
Did you know? Solicitors, or “associates”, are general practitioners of the law. They provide a broad service to individuals and organisations, dispensing legal advice and information, and implementing legal procedures and transactions. The work is generally very varied.