'Bias' against criminal and family law

They work just as long into the night as their corporate peers, and for less money. But the biggest bugbear of many criminal and family lawyers is the perception that their work is second rate, compared with those in the more glamorous and lucrative fields of law. The shortage of criminal and family lawyers here has been flagged as a problem by a committee set up to review the supply of lawyers in Singapore, especially in the light of Singapore's growing population. In its report, the 4th Committee on the Supply of Lawyers noted that anecdotally law graduates from NUS and SMU "do not find the practice of community law meets their professional aspirations". The deans of the two law schools acknowledged that observation. SMU School of Law Dean Yeo Tiong Min said: "Gravitation towards corporate law is not unique to SMU law students. Many bright law students in other law schools also see their future in corporate law." NUS law faculty dean Simon Chesterman added: "NUS law graduates are widely regarded as outstanding lawyers. With the range of opportunities available, it is not surprising that many pursue high-end work." 

Source
The Straits Times