Attrition rates in Singapore’s legal profession have remained stable over the past decade while the total number of practitioners has grown steadily, according to Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam. Speaking on July 26 at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law freshmen inauguration ceremony, Shanmugam cautioned that this steady growth masks serious issues within the industry, pointing to recent findings on long hours, workplace culture, and professional attrition.
Understanding the Attrition Data and Study Findings
The discussion on workplace retention stems from a recent study commissioned by the Law Society of Singapore regarding why lawyers leave the field. According to Shanmugam, the study highlighted factors such as long hours, toxic workplace cultures, pressure, and the derogatory or unfair treatment lawyers experience in court, alongside a lack of mentorship. Additional concerns identified by the minister include poor supervision, a lack of training, harassment, bullying, and unreasonable treatment.
Statistics released by Law Minister Edwin Tong in Parliament in May indicate that between 2015 and 2024, about 60 per cent of lawyers remained in practice after working for five years, while only 40 per cent remained after a decade. Despite this outflow, the overall number of Singapore lawyers in practice grew by 26 per cent from 2015 to 2024. Furthermore, the number of in-house counsel in Singapore reached about 4,800, representing a one-third increase since 2015.
Did You Know? A total of 245 freshmen took the ethics pledge at the inauguration ceremony, led by NUS Law Club vice-president and third-year law student Gwen Chong.
Remuneration and Demands in Legal Practice
Addressing the freshmen at the University Cultural Centre, Shanmugam emphasized that legal practice is a demanding profession requiring high expectations for those aiming at the cutting edge. Remuneration in the sector reflects these intense demands. A first-year qualified lawyer at a top local firm can earn more than $100,000 annually, while top performers who become junior partners after six to eight years can make about $200,000 to $300,000 yearly. Competitive pay structures are also maintained in the public sector’s legal and judicial services to attract talent.
Shanmugam noted that work is expected almost round the clock at top levels, drawing comparisons to the even more intense environments in London and New York. Beyond traditional law firms, many professionals choose to move to different sectors because skills acquired in legal practice—such as clear thinking and precise writing—serve them well in fields like investment banking, public service, or starting their own businesses.
Institutional Responses and Future Outlook
To address these systemic challenges, the Law Society has formed a task force to develop countermeasures, and the judiciary alongside the society is setting up a joint committee to study feedback and determine actionable solutions. NUS Law dean Andrew Simester noted that law schools share responsibility in this ecosystem, pointing out that harassment and bullying act as push factors for lawyers. Simester explained that NUS Law has increased ethical education content in its degree program, emphasizing that shaping lawyers of good character is a joint enterprise involving law schools, the Law Society, and legal firms.
SG Courts reported that two formal conduct complaints were received in the past three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What retention rates were reported for lawyers in Singapore?
According to statistics released by Law Minister Edwin Tong in Parliament in May, about 60 per cent of lawyers remained in practice after five years, and about 40 per cent remained after a decade between 2015 and 2024.
What are the primary reasons lawyers leave the profession?
A study commissioned by the Law Society of Singapore identified long hours, toxic workplace cultures, pressure, derogatory or unfair treatment in court, and a lack of mentorship as key reasons for departure.
How large is Singapore’s legal and in-house counsel community?
The total number of Singapore lawyers in practice grew by 26 per cent from 2015 to 2024 to approximately 6,400-strong, while in-house counsel reached about 4,800, marking a one-third increase since 2015.
What are your thoughts on the balance between high remuneration and workplace demands in the legal industry?
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