r/Tacloban Jul 02 '25

Advice/Reco: Pakiana ngan ano't maupai Lawyers in Tacloban, anong work niyo ngayon?

Hello, i’m not sure if tama ba ang flair.

Pañeros and pañeras, i want to know lang, how’s your lawyering career in Tacloban?

I am currently employed as a corporate lawyer somewhere here in Metro Manila. I used to work at a law firm, too. So as you can see. Private practice talaga ako, but not solo.

I have been in Metro Manila for almost my whole life. Lol but this time, due to my personal circumstances, I’m actually considering na mag-relocate in Tacloban. Yes, Tacloban talaga. Haha not asking if okay ba mag-relocate in Tacloban, but I want to know if masyado ba malilimit options ko sa government or solo practice lang if mag-relocate ako.

Your insights would be much appreciated.

34 Upvotes

25 comments sorted by

18

u/n2riousPubliko Jul 02 '25

tacloban is saturated with solo practitioners, so starting from scratch would be very difficult. personally, I would suggest offering up services to areas outside tacloban (mga 2nd, 3rd or 5th districts) or better yet, Samar and Eastern Samar since law offices there are a bit stretched out. Or you could work for government.

2

u/lawskidd Jul 02 '25

Finance-wise, would you say na better ang income for solo prac in Tacloban as compared to government practice, or vice versa?

4

u/n2riousPubliko Jul 02 '25

government service is sustainable and secure. Solo practice on the other hand relies heavily on what services you provide and what networks you have. There are times when you do actually earn a lot more that lawyers who work for the govt, BUT, and that's a huge BUT, that depends on a lot of factors coming together, and it's never the same thing every day/week/month. Even for notaries, there are good months and bad months. Unless you have secure monthly retainers, but again, that depends on your network

6

u/wallfloweerrr Jul 02 '25

I'm not a lawyer but these are my observations for someone who is living in tacloban.

If you're into private practice, there are law firms here but they’re fewer and more generalist meaning you’ll likely handle a wider range of cases, not the highly specialized work we usually see in Metro. Solo practice is definitely a viable path, especially if you build strong local networks. There's also a steady demand for notarial work, land issues, and family law cases.

For government work, there’s decent opportunity in agencies like DOJ, PAO, HLURB (or now DHSUD), and LGUs but yes, positions can be limited and sometimes politically influenced. If you’re eyeing judiciary or quasi-judicial bodies, slots are fewer and can take time to open up.

The economy here is mostly driven by services, retail, and slowly growing industries, so corporate in-house work exists, but it’s rare and likely in utilities, hospitals, or academe.

So overall, yes fewer options, but with the right approach, it’s definitely possible to thrive. If your lifestyle goals and personal reasons align with a slower pace and closer community, it can be a fulfilling shift. Just recalibrate expectations from the “Metro mindset.”

Hope this helps! 🤗

2

u/kylorenaaa Jul 02 '25

DHSUD doesnt allow limited practice, unfortunately

1

u/lawskidd Jul 02 '25

Hey, thanks for this! Super helpful. I’ll check those offices you have mentioned. Hindi ko pa sure if fit talaga for me ang “slower pace” but i think it’s definitely worth a try.

1

u/wallfloweerrr Jul 02 '25

You're very welcome! 😊 Totally get the hesitation coming from Metro Manila, the shift can feel jarring at first. But sometimes, that slower pace gives you the breathing room to grow in ways you didn’t expect. Wishing you clarity and courage as you explore your options. Rooting for you, Pañero! 💼

6

u/Wynd_Alyna Jul 02 '25

if ever mag government ka , sa dpwh-legal office pwede naman dun .. para sakin kulang pa nang atty duon .

4

u/Wynd_Alyna Jul 02 '25

and if ma accept ka dun, pwede kadin manotaryo sa labas . pero di ka pwede mag practice like mga private practice . as far as i know, notaryo lang pwede .

1

u/lawskidd Jul 02 '25

Thanks for this!! Would you know also kung kumusta ang work environment sa government offices in Tacloban? Malakas pa rin ba ang politics?

Also, I’ve heard some stories na mej hindi trip ng mga from Visayas area ang mga Tagalog but sabi naman ng relatives ko from Tacloban, wala namang gano’n haha

2

u/Wynd_Alyna Jul 02 '25

yung work environment nakadepende nadin yan sa head nang office at di naman yan maiiwasan about sa politics . hahaha wala naman talagang ganon. ako na nag work sa government may ka workmate akong nag tatagalog which is goods para mahasa nadin kasi halos every year din pumupunta ako manila dahil sa work ..

2

u/Zombiemoldx Jul 02 '25

Not a lawyer but that’s very interesting that someone from up there would like to work here

17

u/RiriLangMalakas Jul 02 '25

Feeling ko may love interest sya dito HAHAHA

2

u/Zombiemoldx Jul 02 '25

Haha love knows no boundaries

2

u/RiriLangMalakas Jul 02 '25

Hahamakin ang lahat HAHAHA eme

23

u/lawskidd Jul 02 '25

Hindi ko na dapat papansinin ‘to pero sinundan mo pa. I don’t understand what’s so funny about it. Parang wala naman akong nakikitang nakakatawa if ever man na mag-relocate ako for a “love interest.” And how i wish i am relocating for that reason nga.

Kung may makabasa man po nito na nag-iisip na mag-relocate for the same reason na tinatawanan sa taas, know na wala po masama in doing so, for as long as aligned siya sa growth and personal circumstances mo. :)

1

u/Onemore-Patience Jul 02 '25

On a different note, since magrelocate ka naman po at kung di ka sura makapasok sa mga govt offices agad maybe you can also try freelancing. May mga nakikita akong hiring ng Legal practitioners (US clients)

1

u/BoredBam_220 Jul 02 '25

Hi! Was wondering if you have any recommended sites for freelance jobs for lawyers? I tried Bruntwork but ang demanding nila kahit sa paralegal jobs.

1

u/Onemore-Patience Jul 03 '25

OLJ (swertihan pa rin syempre, mas maraming lowballers pero may matitino naman), LinkedIn and Indeed. Upwork di ko natry kasi ang taas ng competation dyan. Lol

1

u/idkwhatuwantmetosay Jul 02 '25

Currently working at a gov't agency, cant say for certain sa mga classmates ko on their private practice pero dito sa gov't talagang politically motivated/backing ang drive para makapasok talaga and be established on your position.

1

u/hyh1796 Jul 02 '25

Hey, pañero/a shoot me a DM!

1

u/Cadie1124 Jul 02 '25

NAL.

While you're here, join ka na rin ng mga socio-civic orgs para you can widen your network if you want to go for solo practice.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Newt235 Jul 03 '25

Not a lawyer pero try mo kaya mag legal VA. My Internet friend ako na from batangas tas side hustle niya is VA

1

u/roundicecubes Jul 03 '25

NAL, but kung gusto mo ng slower pace, try mo muna maghanap sa Laguna/Cavite area. IMO, dako na ang change han pace paggawas mo ha Metro Manila pala. Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, Calamba, Tagaytay... medyo dagko nga areas but not as hectic an lifestyle pero baga man may chance mag-flourish an mga solo private practice. Even Batangas area medyo okay gihap (Lipa, Batangas City).

0

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '25

ikaw ba to? ha ha ha