Legal Consultant Profiles: 'The Flexible Foodie' Zoe Leong.

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born in and grew up in Malaysia until I left the comfort of my parents’ home for a traditional boarding school in the UK. I have always wanted to travel and work and live abroad all my life. 12 years ago I ended up in Hong Kong, thinking it would be a 2-5 year stint and then move on to another country, but somehow I have been here ever since! I enjoy competitive and active pursuits, particularly sailing, where I met my husband. As a true Malaysian, I am also a foodie and love discovering new places to eat. 

2. What’s your journey in the legal field been like?

I knew I always wanted to be a lawyer since I was aged 7, no joke! I trained as a barrister because I loved the adrenaline (and drama) of fighting for a client’s cause in the courtroom. I ended up joining law firms specialising in maritime law and worked in the legal shipping industry for over 10 years of my legal career. About 5 years ago, I decided to make a change and enjoyed a stint in the casino and hospitality industry (doing legal work of course) before I ventured into legal consulting which brought me into the technology and venture capital industries.

3. What kind of clients have you worked with and on what type of matter?

I have worked with large corporate clients like the private banks, media companies, casinos and shipping companies, but the clients I love working with are the startups and entrepreneurs who are trying to build new products or services that solves problems.

4. Do you have any tips for consultants looking into joining the flexible workforce? Any Dos and Don’ts?

Most important is to have and keep an open mind and be prepared to accept the highs and lows of consulting. Don’t expect every day to be the same – it never is!