The Biggest Decision in My Law Career....

Talking about the Biggest Decision in my law career with you guys... If you were me, what would you choose?
0:00 Biggest decision in my law career
0:20 Seats I have done so far?
1:31 My struggle in terms of qualification
2:08 Will I be a lawyer FOREVER?
3:11 Pick practice areas that are transferrable?
3:49 Corporate lawyers are always in demand
4:12 Always keep in touch with legal recruiters
5:06 Loving Blackletter law/case law as a student
5:53 Corporate lawyers don't need blackletter law/cases
6:45 My unique M&A seat experience
8:00 Benefits of qualifying into corporate law
9:03 Skillsets you get as a corporate lawyer
9:53 Income as a corporate lawyer is tempting
10:13 Corporate law is frankly where the money goes
10:46 Salary as a consideration
11:52 Technical seats can be a good qualification option?
13:18 corporate M&A lawyer vs competition/trade lawyer
14:48 Cons of not choosing corporate M&A?
15:25 Competition law is growing and becoming more popular
16:17 Possible career as a law professor in the future?
17:22 Academia is not less competitive than the corporate law market
18:26 How do you make important decisions in life?

[@GordonChung]

Hope you guys enjoy this video!

[@peemudombunyaluck904]

I was a corporate lawyer for about a year and eventually planned to work abroad. However, the job did not go along with my life style. Thus, I shifted to a government official job market. It is not money rewarding though but I do have sometimes to enjoy myself. I do miss corporate money though hahaha. I just chose my gut feeling if it does not go as planned, I just look for alternatives. We never know what the future holds. Given your situation, I have watched most of your videos and so much respect for your motivation and dedication to this career. I wish you all the best ! I totally agree that corporate area is transferable. I have seen many foreigners working abroad and in my jurisdiction.

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for sharing your own experience!

[@makas01217]

If I were you, I would do corporate m&a without a doubt. As you are now already an international candidate, I think it would be wiser for you to keep different doors open, whether it’s in terms of jurisdictions or exit options. But I guess for you, the struggle is more about money vs interest. So it will depends on how much you love the academia side of law to the extent that you are willing to give up the corporate law money to pursue your passion. But as you said, just follow your gut feeling👍

[@GordonChung]

What a nice summary thanks!

[@user-kv2sy7qe5w]

Well, tbh I'm kinda pragmatic so I would definitely choose MnA, but it's you! It's you to choose who you wanna be, and what kinda achievement you hope to accomplish in your life. It could be pretty hard for this moment, but just imagine, after 20, or 30 years, will you regret what you have chosen rn? Erghhh, I may not be as experienced as you...I'm not from a wealthy background and still doing the degree, but I'm so exposed to the idea that work is a part of your life, and it's not everything. If competition and trade can make money, I think it's still a good choice...maybe you can check Em and Lloyd's videos and see if you have any new idea (&&&I can really see your passion for competition law from your eyes tbh...keep going no matter what's your choice!

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for the comment!

[@divinawang1138]

I think your preference is obvious. You should go with competition and trade. You can only go far as you do what you love.

[@forestgreen123]

What would you say are the pros and cons (particularly, in terms of work-life balance), between public M&A and private M&A work as a trainee/associate? Thank you!

[@KKRCeb]

Nice video as always. In terms of the practice groups-would you say that you are more thrilled about the technical/specialist side of law practice? I am in banking right now and do find the technical details more interesting, even it is still very much transactional and about coordinating things like you said.

[@GordonChung]

I think I do find the technical aspect of law appealing, and yes I agree banking seems to have a bit more of the technical element

[@KKRCeb]

@@GordonChung Perhaps then, since biglaws generally follow the same lockstep payscale, pursuing an area you are interested in is not that risky for the next 8-10 years? (Unsure how the lockstep progresses in London but I assume it's comparable with New York) And in 8-10 years, who knows? like you said, you may very well want to be doing other things regardless, and the pay is not affected at that stage. Ofc, exit opportunities difference remains a good point. Just throwing random 2 cents. Good luck with the choice!

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for that, it’s good to hear someone else’s thoughts!

[@mohakkhin4273]

Try doing a pros and cons list it will be great and surely effective and help you analyse the best case scenario. Also think about it carefully, the decision shouldn't disappoint you later

[@Jejdjejbfjf]

You probably have a natural flair and personality towards teaching / imparting knowledge based on your videos! You’d make a good professor Gordon! or if you’re into black letter law, your path might be in litigation or clerkship for judges. Or competition/trade law as you said. And it truly is impressive and perhaps your calling that you have so much stamina / interest in black letter law research! It is very rare and I think you’d thrive if you pursue it! Personally I wouldn’t pick something mainly because it’s transferable and financially rewarding, I think that’s a waste of one’s inner calling… and if you’re really good at and love whatever you do, there will always be opportunities down the road, even if they don’t seem so apparent now.

[@GordonChung]

Awww thanks for your words!

[@andreasstavrakas4973]

Hi Gordon, thanks for the interesting video! I recently did a vacation scheme with a corporate M&A department, and I got the impression that M&A lawyers sub-specialise in certain types of deals, such as private equity, hotels and leisure, energy deals etc. Is that true and is that something you should also consider?

[@GordonChung]

That’s a good point actually thanks!

[@Giri_632]

Would love to know what you ended up choosing😁

[@Giri_632]

Hi Gordon, do you have any tips for converting a vac scheme to a training contract offer?

[@GordonChung]

I think you need to show them you are person that they can easily work with. Focus on showing both your work attitudes and interpersonal skills!

[@sera7243]

money comes first, then do what you like. my perspective.

[@GordonChung]

Plain and simple 👌🏻

[@clc3296]

👍👍

[@GordonChung]

🙏🏻

[@thalessilva8714]

You did not like tax? As I am changing careers to law, I would say that tax may help you to have an independent life as a consultant in the future. Overall, I would go where the money is since you can prepare a bed to lie on whilst using the money you make to enjoy life.