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Chambers overtake law firms in pay battle for junior talent

I am yet to start my conversion course to law and so offer an input from an undoubtedly limited view point. However, the argument, as above, seems to be missing the point that one who chooses to commence a life at the bar, does so with the view to perhaps starting low but raising in not only terms of salary but in quality of practice and recognition as a successful individual rather than ‘working in the same team as an irritating moron’ (re: Barristers v Solicitors). Pay may traditionally be lower initially as a pupil in Chambers (on a relevant like-for-like basis) but the rewards in autonomy, quality of life through one’s own time management and a later hike in pay upon success in one’s chosen field, are surely not arguments missed by those wanting to make a life for themselves at the bar. I do not accept, without evidence, that pupils rather than NQs misjudge their calculations when summing up costs for training .v. future remuneration in relation to the costs of a trainee solicitor, but offer the more realistic argument that one would do so with a view to future financial success surpassing their solicitor counterparts not dislike the view to holding off spending in light of then having the finances for a future rainy day. Following a career in law is surely arduous and time consuming enough to offer the privilege of being ‘one’s own man’?

13-Aug-2009

4:47 pm