Cautious optimism but good news for Singapore salaries in late 2010

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Cautious optimism but good news for Singapore salaries in late 2010

Positions placed on hold during the downturn are starting to be filled; indicating a return to normality but not necessarily an upturn in the Singapore legal jobs market, according to Robert Walters’ 2010 snapshot for local legal jobs.

The news was more positive for candidates applying at home as remuneration packages are more localised, becoming less appealing to foreign talent. The last full salary survey results, which had revealed a stagnant result compared with Q1 from 2009, are available via the link below. New figures, yet to be released, are expected to show further increases.

Professionals with relevant experience should find the market considerably more vibrant due to government focus on building the IT, telecommunications, high tech manufacturing and biotechnology industries. As a consequence, the legal market will see an increase in openings due to the expansion of MNCs.

In private practice, both local and international firms are on the lookout for corporate finance/IPO, corporate M&A, TMT, employment, litigation, energy resources and more recently, capital markets/derivatives lawyers following increased activity in the financial sector.

As always, candidates with strong commercial acumen and adaptability will be favoured for in-house roles while strong technical skills and academics remain essential for success in private practice.

Role

<4 yrs exp 2010 salary (+ - 2009 result): SGD ‘000

4-8yrs exp 2010 salary (+ - 2009 result): SGD ‘000

8+ yrs exp 2010 salary (+ - 2009 result): SGD ‘000

Financial Services/Legal

Investment Banking/Derivatives

Investment/Wealth Management

Corporate Secretarial

$40-$80 (0)

$40-$75 (0)

$40-$70 (0)

$80-$160 (+5)