From Solicitor to Founder: The Story Behind SQE Success

I worked as a solicitor in Hong Kong for 16 years. I had a respectable legal career, worked with talented colleagues, and enjoyed the intellectual challenge that the law provides. Yet as the years passed, I found myself asking a question that many professionals eventually face:

“If I no longer needed to work for money, what would I choose to do with my time?”

After achieving financial freedom, I stepped away from the traditional 9-to-9 routine and gave myself the space to reflect on what I truly wanted to do next.

I was inspired by The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, which encouraged me to think beyond employment and consider building something of my own. The answer became clearer when I came across the Japanese concept of Ikigai - the idea that the most fulfilling work lies at the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, and what creates value for others.

As I reflected on my own experiences, I realised that SQE Success was where those three elements came together.

First, I genuinely enjoy creating MCQs. I know that may sound unusual, but I love taking a legal principle and building a realistic story around it. I enjoy adding subtle twists, introducing distracting facts, and crafting answer choices that force candidates to think carefully. To me, writing a good SQE question is a blend of legal analysis, problem-solving, and creativity.

Second, I realised that English law had always been one of my strengths. Although I practised as a Hong Kong solicitor, Hong Kong law is largely built upon English common law principles. Throughout my career, I developed a deep appreciation for legal reasoning and the careful application of legal rules to complex facts.

Third, I wanted to contribute something useful. Preparing for the SQE can be a lonely and stressful journey. I know this because I have been through it myself. When I sat SQE1, I passed on my first attempt and achieved a 1st quintile result. The experience taught me not only the law, but also how the exam tests candidates. I wanted to share those insights with others.

That is how SQE Success was born.