Lawyer attrition concerns need to be taken seriously, more data needed: Shanmugam
Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, addressed concerns about lawyer attrition and workplace culture during his speech at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law freshmen inauguration ceremony. He acknowledged the challenges faced by lawyers, including long working hours, toxic workplace culture, and pressures from artificial intelligence, but emphasized that official data shows attrition rates have remained 'broadly stable' over the past decade. Citing data from Minister for Law Edwin Tong, Shanmugam noted that 60% of lawyers remain in practice after five years and 40% after ten years, while the number of practicing lawyers has grown by 26%. He called for more detailed and objective data to assess the issue fully and urged the legal profession and courts to address these concerns. Shanmugam also highlighted the competitive nature of the legal profession in Singapore, noting that top-tier lawyers can earn up to S$300,000 annually after several years.
K. Shanmugam has been appointed Senior Minister in Singapore, retaining his roles as Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during a press conference on July 22, outlining changes to the Cabinet. Wong emphasized that Shanmugam and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong are the most experienced members of his team and will continue to provide guidance and mentorship to younger officials. This marks a historic moment as Shanmugam becomes the first senior minister appointed without prior experience as prime minister or deputy prime minister. Shanmugam, aged 67, has served in Parliament since 1988, initially representing the Chong Pang ward under the Sembawang GRC before transitioning to the Nee Soon GRC in 2011. His political journey includes serving as a minister for law and second minister for home affairs starting in 2008. From 2011 to 2015, he held the position of minister for foreign affairs before stepping down as law minister in May 2025. Currently, he oversees the Ministry of Home Affairs, supported by two second ministers, Edwin Tong and Sim Ann, who were recently promoted. Prime Minister Wong addressed questions regarding Shanmugam's continued leadership of the Ministry of Home Affairs amid the cabinet reshuffle. He acknowledged that speculation might arise about potential successors for key portfolios, particularly noting that both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance will have two second ministers each. However, Wong stressed that the focus is on assessing the readiness and suitability of current office-holders for eventual leadership roles within the ministries. In another development, Shanmugam spoke on July 26 at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law freshmen inauguration ceremony, addressing concerns about lawyer attrition and workplace culture. He emphasized the importance of taking these issues seriously while calling for more detailed and objective data to understand the extent of the problem. Citing a recent Law Society study, he outlined factors contributing to lawyer attrition, including long working hours, toxic workplace environments, pressure, and unfair treatment in court. Shanmugam noted that while attrition rates have remained stable over the past decade, the legal profession has seen steady growth. Between 2015 and 2024, approximately 60 percent of lawyers remained in practice after five years, and about 40 percent stayed after ten years. The number of practicing lawyers in Singapore has increased by 26 percent, and the count of in-house counsel has risen by roughly one-third to around 4,800. Despite the stability in attrition rates, Shanmugam underscored the necessity of addressing the underlying issues affecting the legal profession. He mentioned that the Law Society has established a task force to tackle these challenges, and the judiciary and society are forming a joint committee to examine the feedback and propose solutions. He encouraged incoming law students to consider the demanding nature of the profession, highlighting the high remuneration associated with top-tier legal practices. Shanmugam pointed out that the legal field offers competitive salaries in both the public and private sectors, although the expectations and demands are correspondingly high. He noted that first-year qualified lawyers at top local firms can earn over $100,000 annually, with junior partners earning between $200,000 and $300,000. He acknowledged that while the pressures of the profession are significant, they come with opportunities for those willing to embrace the challenges. Additionally, he highlighted Singapore's success in becoming a leading global arbitration hub, attributing this achievement to deliberate government policies and adherence to the rule of law. These factors have contributed to the growth of the legal profession in Singapore, which currently comprises around 6,400 practitioners. As the nation continues to develop its legal landscape, efforts to enhance workplace conditions and support for legal professionals remain crucial.
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Singapore's Attorney-General, K. Shanmugam, stated that attrition rates among lawyers have remained stable over the past decade despite a steady growth in the profession's size. He highlighted ongoing issues such as poor supervision, inadequate training, harassment, bullying, and unfair treatment within the legal field. These concerns were discussed during his speech at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law freshmen inauguration ceremony. Shanmugam mentioned a recent study by the Law Society of Singapore identifying factors like long working hours, toxic workplace cultures, and lack of mentorship as contributing to lawyers leaving the profession. While acknowledging positive steps like the formation of a task force and a joint committee to address these issues, he emphasized the importance of resolving these challenges. Additionally, he noted that many lawyers transition to other sectors due to transferable skills gained in legal practice.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information based on official reports and statements from government officials without overtly favoring any particular political ideology. It provides balanced coverage of the issue by citing both the stability of attrition rates and the persistent problems within the legal prof
Why factuality (85): The article accurately summarizes Shanmugam's remarks on lawyer attrition, referencing the Law Society study and providing statistical data. It maintains consistency with other sources regarding the stability of attrition rates and ongoing issues within the profession.
Why objectivity (85): The article presents the information objectively, without apparent bias or emotional language. It focuses on reporting the minister's statements and the context of the study without injecting personal viewpoints.
Channel NewsAsia (CNA)State / PublicCenterFactual 80Objective 853 days ago
Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, addressed concerns about lawyer attrition and workplace culture during his speech at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law freshmen inauguration ceremony. He acknowledged the challenges faced by lawyers, including long working hours, toxic workplace culture, and pressures from artificial intelligence, but emphasized that official data shows attrition rates have remained 'broadly stable' over the past decade. Citing data from Minister for Law Edwin Tong, Shanmugam noted that 60% of lawyers remain in practice after five years and 40% after ten years, while the number of practicing lawyers has grown by 26%. He called for more detailed and objective data to assess the issue fully and urged the legal profession and courts to address these concerns. Shanmugam also highlighted the competitive nature of the legal profession in Singapore, noting that top-tier lawyers can earn up to S$300,000 annually after several years.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced discussion of the issue, citing official data and acknowledging both the challenges faced by lawyers and the stability of attrition rates. While the minister raises concerns about workplace conditions, he also provides statistical evidence to support his points and ca
Why factuality (80): The article accurately reports Shanmugam's comments on lawyer attrition and references the Law Society study. It includes specific statistics and quotes from the minister, which align with the cross-source consensus on the topic.
Why objectivity (85): The article presents Shanmugam's statements neutrally, focusing on the content of his speech rather than expressing personal opinion. The tone remains professional and balanced throughout.
Incoming Chief Justice Sushil Nair emphasized during his first public speech the importance of addressing lawyer attrition and workplace bullying within the legal profession. Speaking at the Legal Profession Symposium, Nair stated that harassment and bullying are unacceptable in both work environments and court settings. He highlighted the need for law firm leaders to recognize challenges faced by young lawyers, particularly in high-pressure roles. The issue of sustainability in legal practice has been a focus for outgoing Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, who noted that it stems from interconnected pressures across the legal ecosystem, including excessive workloads, lack of support, and toxic workplace cultures. Recent surveys and studies have identified harassment, heavy workloads, and unethical behavior as major factors contributing to lawyer burnout and attrition.
Bias read (Center): While the topic involves governance and professional standards within the legal system, which is politically sensitive, the article presents balanced reporting without overt ideological slant. It includes perspectives from multiple stakeholders (incoming and outgoing chief justices, law society, and
Channel NewsAsia (CNA)State / PublicCenter16 hr. ago
Incoming Chief Justice Sushil Nair emphasized that harassment and bullying in the legal profession—both in workplaces and within courtrooms—are unacceptable and must be addressed by industry leaders. Speaking at the Singapore Academy of Law's Legal Profession Symposium, Nair acknowledged the demanding nature of legal practice but stressed the importance of managing workloads sustainably to prevent burnout among young lawyers. He highlighted the need for mentorship, proper work distribution, and creating environments where junior lawyers feel valued and able to contribute meaningfully. The remarks followed a four-year study revealing that many lawyers are leaving private practice due to toxic work cultures, excessive workloads, and poor preparation from law schools. Nair underscored the national significance of maintaining a healthy legal profession for Singapore’s stability and competitiveness.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the views of an incoming Chief Justice addressing professional conduct and workplace conditions in the legal field. It does not exhibit overt ideological bias, focusing instead on institutional concerns such as workload management, mentorship, and the sustainability of the legal
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