Datuk Tay Lee Ly started her legal career in the Judicial and Legal Service in 1989.  She held various posts and had served almost 36 years.  In 2024, she retired as the Commissioner of Law Revision and Law Reform in the Attorney General’s Chambers. She has also been called to the Malaysian Bar in 1990.  Besides serving in the Judicial and Legal Service, she has also served as a Commissioner with the Malaysian Competition Commission for 6 years from 2017 to 2023.