Paul qualified as a solicitor in the United Kingdom in 1979 and worked in private practice in Manchester until moving to Hong Kong in 1987. Paul then worked for a large international firm in Hong Kong for 12 years, eventually becoming a partner in charge of the firm's litigation department.

In 1999 Paul moved with his family to Queensland, Australia where he practised for two years with a leading Brisbane firm. Paul returned to Hong Kong in 2002 to join Oldham, Li & Nie as a principal in the Dispute Resolution Practice Group.