Attrition rates among lawyers in Singapore have remained steady over the past decade, even as the legal profession has experienced steady growth, 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 emphasized that despite stable numbers, underlying concerns such as poor supervision, inadequate training, harassment, bullying, and unfair treatment within the profession continue to warrant serious attention.
The remarks came in the wake of a recent study commissioned by the Law Society of Singapore, which explored reasons why lawyers choose to leave the field. The study highlighted factors including long working hours, toxic workplace cultures, professional pressure, derogatory or unfair court experiences, and a lack of mentorship. Shanmugam noted that these issues have prompted the Law Society to establish a task force aimed at addressing these challenges. Additionally, the judiciary and Law Society are setting up a joint committee to examine feedback and propose solutions.
“The profession and the courts must address these problems,” Shanmugam said, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling the issues. He added that many lawyers transition to other sectors such as investment banking, public service, or entrepreneurship, often leveraging skills like clear thinking and precise writing acquired in legal practice.
Statistics cited by Shanmugam, referencing figures shared by Law Minister Edwin Tong earlier in May, show that about 60 percent of law graduates remain in practice after five years, with approximately 40 percent continuing after a decade. Singapore’s lawyer population has grown by 26 percent from 2015 to 2024, now numbering around 6,400 legal practitioners, including about 4,800 in-house counsel—a one-third increase since 2015.
Shanmugam highlighted that the demands and remuneration within the legal field reflect its intensity. First-year qualified lawyers at prominent local firms can earn over S$100,000 annually, with junior partners making between S$200,000 and S$300,000 after six to eight years. Public sector legal roles also offer competitive salaries. “When you get paid like that, expectations and demands are correspondingly high,” he said, noting that workload pressures in Singapore are comparable to other global legal centers such as London and New York.
The minister attributed the success of Singapore’s legal profession to the country’s economic policies and strong adherence to the rule of law, which provide a stable and credible framework for enforcing contracts and protecting investments. Singapore ranks second globally as an arbitration hub after London, a status achieved through deliberate government policies and legislative reforms implemented since the mid-2000s.
At the event, NUS Law dean Andrew Simester acknowledged that harassment and bullying remain key factors driving attrition. He stressed the importance of cultivating lawyers of good character and noted that ethical education has been enhanced within the law degree curriculum. However, he emphasized that promoting professional ethics is a collective responsibility shared among the law school, Law Society, and law firms.
Among the 245 freshmen taking the ethics pledge was Sophie Loh, who described feeling apprehensive after learning about issues prompting lawyers to leave the profession. Nonetheless, she expressed optimism about the value of a law degree as a foundation for diverse career paths. “I do still want to be a lawyer right now, but I am still a freshman, so I am eager to see what other pathways I can explore,” she said.