Karen Wong
Legal Director, Merlin Entertainments
MLF Advisory Board Member, University of Oxford
Karen is the APAC Legal Director of Merlin Entertainments Group, a global leader in branded entertainment destinations. Before joining Merlin, Karen had a decade of experience in fintech and artificial intelligence.
She was the Lead Counsel for Ant International for 4 years, enhancing digital transformation via Alipay+ and e-wallet businesses. She is a member of the Standing Committee on External Affairs, Innotech Committee and In-House Lawyers’ Committee under the Law Society of Hong Kong and had served as a committee member of the Young Solicitors’ Committee.
Upon completion of graduation from the MSc Law and Finance (MLF), I came back to Hong Kong to practice commercial law as a M&A associate in another US law firm specialising in cross-border transactions. I quickly realised that with my academic background and my personality, I would be more suited to become an in-house counsel.
My first in-house job was with a fintech start-up in Hong Kong, which was founded by the founder of Skype focusing on the Southeast Asia markets. Back then I was considered to be quite adventurous in venturing into the fintech space as it was not that popular among lawyers. Little did I know that this experience would spark my interest in the tech field and it gave me a wider exposure into opportunities and challenges in the SEA markets.
Back in 2013/2014 when I was undergoing training with a major leading US law firm in HK, I realised over time what I lacked in terms of skillset to become a successful lawyer, for example, knowledge in finance and business acumen. Despite learning from a mix of law and business courses for my undergraduate degrees, I always wanted to further my studies along the same path.
I witnessed first-hand in a large corporate law firm setting that if I were to excel in contract negotiation or closing a deal, it would make things easier if I were to speak the same language with my business counterparts so as to gain their trust. That's the reason why I applied to MLF, a course that was able to offer me exactly what I was looking for, an intersection between law and finance.
I was appointed the committee member of the Young Solicitors' Group and in-house lawyer's committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong upon my return after Oxford. I was fortunate to be able to receive career advice from Oxford and professionals in the field back then and I would like to contribute back to the society. I wanted to help young lawyers who might be as confused as I was back when I was a junior lawyer. Being a committee member allows us to organise networking events and gatherings within our legal circle, as well as with other professionals, within and outside of HK.
We were also able to convey what our members' opinions and comments are to the Law Society so that appropriate actions can be taken for improvement and for the well-being of our members. For example, as members are getting increasingly interested in the fintech field, we are able to invite expert in the field to share experiences with our members. Overall, I found this a rewarding voluntary experience outside work.
My land law professor back in the University of Hong Kong had been the biggest cornerstone of my professional life. Despite the fact he was a Cambridge graduate, he was one of my two references in my application to Oxford. He was always so helpful with his students. He taught with his heart and always tried to understand what his students were experiencing. He was able to make land law classes very enjoyable and filled the classes with jokes and personal stories.
He formed a strong bond with us even after graduation and we stayed in touch. I used to share my difficulties that I encountered during traineeship and he was always there to support and provide guidance to me whenever I needed it. He was not just a teacher, but a mentor and a life coach. He was so experienced in the legal industry that our chief justice in HK was also one of his students. He earned respect from all of us. Unfortunately he passed away but we will always remember him in our hearts.
Go with your heart and be not afraid to make bold decisions. This is what life is about, sometimes taking risks might bring you surprises, be it positive or negative. Embrace what life brings you and try to make the best out of it. Keep an open mind and always try new things. New experiences often brings you new perspective in life.