A career shaped by people, responsibility and the courage to begin again.
Shirley Chai, also known as Chai Sei Lei, is the founder of Solis Insight Sdn. Bhd., a Registered Counsellor, workplace facilitator and HRD Corp Accredited Trainer.
Her story
Shirley first studied counselling before her career took her through banking, shipping and logistics, organisational quality systems, legal administration, corporate legal work and legal practice.
She worked in a law firm while studying law externally, later qualified as a lawyer and became a law-firm partner. After reaching a place that might have looked like a natural destination, she returned to counselling at postgraduate level.
She does not see those years as a detour. Each role deepened her understanding of pressure, responsibility, systems, conflict, communication and the many ways people try to make difficult situations work.
Today, Solis Insight brings those experiences together. Shirley supports individuals through counselling and reflective coaching, and helps organisations build practical skills for clearer, steadier workplace conversations.
What legal practice brings to Solis Insight
Shirley's legal work has included family matters, employment and employee matters, conveyancing, commercial agreements and civil disputes. These areas have brought her into contact with people making important decisions during family change, workplace tension, financial pressure, conflict and uncertainty.
Over the years, she has observed that a legal issue often has a deeply human layer. A family matter may carry grief, fear or anger. An employment matter may involve dignity, trust, identity or communication that has broken down. Even a transaction that appears technical can become emotionally difficult when expectations are unclear or relationships are strained.
This experience does not mean that Solis Insight combines legal advice with counselling. The roles remain separate. What it brings is a practical sensitivity to context: Shirley can recognise that people may need emotional steadiness and clearer communication alongside the legal or organisational processes being handled by the appropriate professional.
For individuals, this supports a grounded and non-judgmental counselling approach. For organisations, it strengthens her ability to design realistic programmes on conflict, boundaries, difficult conversations, documentation awareness and people-management responsibilities.
Qualifications and credentials
- —Registered Counsellor — KB13276
- —Practising Certificate — PA12931
- —Master's in Counselling Psychology — Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 2025
- —Bachelor of Management (Counselling) — Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 2004
- —Bachelor of Jurisprudence (External) — Universiti Malaya, 2014
- —Certificate of Legal Practice, 2015
- —HRD Corp Accredited Trainer — valid 24 July 2026 to 24 July 2029
- —ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification
- —Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya
- —Partner, Pek & Co.
- —More than 20 years of cross-industry working experience
Certificates
Selected facilitation experience
- —Practical conveyancing risk-control training
- —Workplace resilience and belonging
- —Personal strength and reflective wellbeing
- —Parenting and adolescent development
- —Teen self-awareness, resilience and positive growth
- —Workplace communication, de-escalation and people-support skills
Shirley's approach
Shirley is calm in delivery and clear about structure. She listens before offering a framework, and she connects reflection to language and actions that can be used in real life.
She does not ask people to appear perfect. Her work is about becoming more aware, more ready and more able to take the next responsible step.
Languages
Formal sessions are offered in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Cantonese. Shirley is also competent in Hakka and may use it conversationally where helpful, but a full Hakka-language session is not offered.
Professional role boundaries
Shirley's legal experience strengthens her awareness of risk, documentation and professional boundaries. However, counselling, coaching and training offered through Solis Insight do not constitute legal advice or create a solicitor-client relationship.
Where a counselling relationship may conflict with another professional role, Solis Insight may decline, pause or refer the matter to protect appropriate boundaries.
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