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Feel free to post shamelessly about how litigations is frustrating , challenging , rewarding , stimulating , satisfying or exhausting - as per your own experience. Go ahead !
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This journey is very very tiring and lonely. Especially if you are living alone. But seems light is just there at the end of the tunnel.
Looking forward to reading experiences of other litigators.
- Earning curve is really good in litigation, even though you start from law. Although not necessary for every litigator but then same is the case with a corp lawyer (especially one not in a tier one). And the efforts you put in are the same.
- Some people don't have very easy access to these firms, and the ones they do have access to pay very little with no growth opportunities.
- Some people would rather work for themselves from the beginning that grinding for a partner.
There's another point: work satisfaction. A lot of us like what we do, money aside, and just wouldn't get the same level of satisfaction/thrill in a law firm.
Work has been challenging, satisfying and rewarding. I did try my hand at core civil litigation and commercial litigation but didn't find it comfortable there since they are slow, there's too much cut throat competition and undercutting of fees, and too factually heavy which results in more time requirement per matter.
I aim to streamline my work into a four day workweek pattern while maximizing economic returns. The tax advisory practice must be grown but I have been occupied with other things personally to be interested in business development this year. I'm happy.
There's uncertainty and anxiety about what may happen three months down the line but that's something every legal professional undergoes. The nagging worry doesn't vanish - we merely get better at ignoring it.
Started with 20k now making 35k + small money from own matters.
It's a cruel professional, some days are good, some are bad but thrill/ upcoming money is all what keeps me going.
It is just a business where the consumers are reluctant to use the services (i.e., go to court). Above that, your legal skills are 20% of what will get you clients, and in my opinion, these skills are not that hard to master so after 2 years into an averagely focussed career, everyone operates on a level playing field in terms of legal skills.
While you may make it big and earn more from one day's worth of hearing what a PA earns in a month, the likelihood of the same is below 1%. I hope all my brothers in litigation shine and make it big one day to make me regret saying things I am writing here.
- Love
''While you may make it big and earn more from one day's worth of hearing what a PA earns in a month, the likelihood of the same is below 1%. ''
Left a Tier 1 law firm in 2018 to move a litigation chamber. Got paid 20K for the first 6 months which increased to 30K after 6 months. Left after 1.5 years to join another chamber where I got paid 40K which increased to 50K after 1 years. In 2021, joined a senior advocate, got paid 80K for the first 5 months. Thereafter, it was increased to 1.3L and has remained the same since then.
For the past 2-3 months, god has been kind and I have been getting some independent drafting work from which I earn an additional 50K to 1L per month.
The journey has not been easy as have to work hard to deliver results. My bosses have mostly been very good and supportive but I have seen people come and go so not that it was easy to impress bosses without doing good work.
I still have some hesitation in appearing before Courts as have not gotten many opportunities to argue. There is a lot of uncertainty but trying my best to work hard and achieve something. Having supportive parents and partner has helped.
Heart of gold, I would say. Pays his staff and juniors really well. He treats them with a lot of kindness. The only time he shows anger is during the court hearings which is also only if you have not done the requisite work. He forgets about your mistakes also quickly.
This is not a dream senior but an actual senior! Also, I am a first generation advocate so I needed this kind of senior to have someone to aspire to.
In my opinion one doesn't need to be an exceptional lawyer to earn decent in litigation being above average than the crowd also pulls the client.