The ‘powerhouse’ team at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill advises on the spectrum of labour, employment mandates, from reviewing employment policies and documentation, and employment-related issues in corporate restructurings to employment disputes involving termination of staff, unjust dismissal claims and representing senior employees in contested circumstances, among others. Leading the team with particular strength in defending dismissal claims, Lim Heng Seng lends his experience in handling disputes in court, while Shariffullah Majeed and Amardeep Singh showcase extensive experience across various types of litigation. Tan Hooi Ping specialises in mergers and recently promoted partner Nurul Aisyah Hassan is noted for her distinctive focus on advising financial institutions on compliance matters. Arissa Ahrom regularly advises companies on restructuring and disciplinary processes.

Advising and representing corporate employers, as well as multinational and government-linked companies, the team at Shearn Delamore & Co handles a range of litigation covering dismissals, formation and recognition of trade unions, and trade disputes. Leading the practice is Vijayan Venugopal, who has extensive experience providing advice on labour issues, industrial relations, and collective bargaining among the rest of his vast expertise in this area. Venugopal has also conducted hearings at various levels of the employment judicial hierarchy. Another key member of this team is Sivabalah Nadarajah, with vast experience across the area, particularly concerning trade unions, while Raymond Low is particularly notable for advocating in judicial reviews.

‘Prompt, thorough, and knowledgeable’, the team at Skrine provides comprehensive advice across a broad spectrum of employment-related mandates including disciplinary action, performance management, and compliance. The team also undertakes a range of employment disputes while also providing support in the event of prosecution by statutory bodies. Leading the practice, Selvamalar Alagaratnam advises clients in various industries on issues ranging from the protection of confidential information to investigations and disciplinary actions. Also key to the practice, is Foo Siew Li, handling both contentious and non-contentious employment issues, while Sara Lau regularly acts for employers in unjust dismissal claims and other contentious matters in all levels of courts in Malaysia.

Focusing its practice on assisting employers across contentious and non-contentious issues, the team at Tay & Partners is regularly instructed by multinationals, financial institutions, and government agencies. Providing advice on collective agreements, wrongful dismissal, and occupational safety, the team also has significant experience in alternative dispute resolution. Leading the department, Leonard Yeoh  has substantial experience as a litigator at all levels of the Malaysian and Singaporean courts, as well as domestic and international arbitrations. Another key team member is Pua Jun Wen, who regularly advises and represents corporations, businesses, and individuals on various employment matters, as well as, representing clients before the courts.

Advising on the full cycle of employment matters, Wong & Partners assists clients, such as multinational and publicly listed companies, across contentious and non-contentious matters such as unfair dismissal, misappropriation, and misuse of confidential information. Leading the team is Trishelea Ann Sandosam, who assists clients across the spectrum of employment issues on both contentious and non-contentious employment and industrial relations work. Also leading the team is Eddie Chuah, who has experience in litigation arising from matters relating to industrial relations disputes, compliance issues, and fraud by employees. Notably, Chauh also works on judicial reviews. Brian Chia retired in January 2024.

Assisting major corporations across a vast range of industries, offering advice and representation regarding employer-employee issues, including employee handbooks and manuals, collective agreements, and retrenchment Zul Rafique & Partners’ advisory service extends to human resource departments on personnel issues. Collectively leading the practice, Jayasingam Poopalasingam maintains an active litigation portfolio of civil and industrial relations matters, appearing in multiple levels of the courts, while Wong Keat Ching is also active in litigation and advises on matters regarding workplace misconduct, poor performance, and fixed-term contracts. Also leading the practice, is Thavaselvi Pararajasingam, who focuses on both litigation and advisory work, and Teoh Alvare who regularly appears in the Industrial Court.

Christopher & Lee Ong has notable strength in a wide range of contentious matters, from poor performance, unfair dismissal, to constructive dismissal, often representing clients in court or mediation. Often acting for start-up businesses, multinational corporations, and government-linked companies, the practice is also noted for its advisory offering. Jointly leading the practice is Yau Yee Ming, who has extensive experience advising clients on retrenchments, restructuring, and overseeing winding-up procedures, while Kelvin Kho advises on labour contracts, handbooks, and regulatory compliance. Another a key member of the team, Rubini Murugesan is regularly called upon to represent and advise local and international companies in matters of termination, constructive dismissal, and misconduct.

Donovan & Ho handles a variety of employment issues, ranging from wage disputes to statutory compliance extending across various sectors. The practice is well regarded for its representation in unfair dismissal claims and trade disputes before the courts. Donovan Cheah leads the practice group with his experience in a wide variety of industries; who stands out due to his ability to manage complex acquisitions. Th’ng Yan Nie demonstrates skill in de-escalation, often advising clients on proceedings privy to legal action being taken. Recently promoted to partner, Lim Zi-Han is highly regarded for his litigation capabilities across both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Peter Ling & van Geyzel has a highly specialised labour and employment practice, offering an advisory service assisting large multinational employers on complex labour and employment issues, as well as acting on employee claims for high level executives. The firm has also recently undertaken employee transfers, complex misconduct, and performance-related dismissals. Leading the practice is Marcus van Geyzel, described as ‘responsive and pragmatic’, who works closely on employment matters with several international law firms as well as regional counsel. The team also maintains an all-year-round practice working on reviewing and updating employment documentation and implementing new procedures and policies.

On the employment front, Rahmat Lim & Partners offers advice on a full range of matters including, pension schemes, statutory welfare, and outsourcing arrangements. The team also handles disputes, including unfair dismissals, enforcement of confidentiality clauses, and disciplinary proceedings, displaying the team’s wide range of capabilities. On the health and safety front, the team advises on regulations, as well as assisting with employment investigations. Leading the team, Jack Yow is also heads the firm's litigation practice and specialises in industrial relations and employment law litigation, while Tan Mei Fang handles a range of employment disputes.

Housing a ‘professional and knowledgeable team’, Raja, Darryl & Loh represent local and foreign multinational companies across a broad spectrum of employment disputes, including unfair dismissal, retrenchment, and constructive dismissal at various levels of the courts in Malaysia. The team also advises clients on the structuring exercises of various schemes and reviews. Leading the practice is Tham Li Vyen, who often appears as lead or co-counsel in courts, specialising in defending employers across claims concerning unfair dismissal. Recently, Tham has also advised employers on business rationalisation and cost-cutting measures that were necessitated the Movement Control Order.

The team at Shook Lin & Bok offers a joint advisory and litigation service, handling employment contracts, wrongful termination, and organisational restructuring, while assisting local and multinational employers and employees across a wide range of industries. Jointly leading the practice is Romesh Abraham, a long-standing litigation partner at the firm whose practice includes a wide range of employment disputes, as well as arbitrations. Also leading the team, Mehala Marimuthoo is primarily engaged in employment litigation and advises on issues relating to dismissal, recruitment, and retrenchment.

Harold & Lam Partnership’s employment practice provides a comprehensive advisory service operating across a broad range of industries handling a vast array of matters including dismissals, retrenchment, and statutory requirements. The team also regularly represents companies and individuals in proceedings at various levels of the court. Leading the team is Rohan Arasoo Jeyabalah, who is principally involved in disputes, often appearing as lead or co-counsel at all tiers of the courts and also in arbitrations.

The team at Josephine, L K Chow & Co shows capability in handling litigation, particularly in cases of constructive dismissal. Jointly leading the department, Edward Saw Keat Leong is recognised for his litigation experience at various courts in Malaysia, while Josephine Ng Bee Leng is particularly regarded for advising foreign and local corporations. Yip Huen Weng has led his team on complex constructive dismissal cases and Jerry Low Kok Kiang is another key contact in the group.

LAW Partnership covers a myriad of employment issues spanning remuneration, workplace restructuring, and reorganisation, among others. The team’s clientele consists primarily of multinational corporations. Nimisha Jaya Gobi leads the practice, offering a full spectrum of services from advisory, and litigation to alternative dispute resolution across various issues, particularly unfair dismissal claims. Shazreen Sher Mohammed is also a key member of the department primarily advising clients on a diverse range of employment and industrial relations issues.

Specialising in sports law, with significant connections to the Malaysian Badminton team, Richard Wee Chambers handles disputes relating to retrenchment, restructuring, and dismissals, at various levels of the courts. The firm notably handles the drafting and amendment of employee handbooks. Leading the team are Richard Wee, who has considerable experience as a litigator, and Darren Lai, who advises clients on ESG mandates. Another key team member is Fatin Ismail, who assists on matters concerning retrenchment.

Housing a team ‘highly skilled with a strong depth of knowledge and experience in labour and employment law’, Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership acts for clients in dismissal disputes and provides advice on the drafting of employment contracts, retrenchments, and closure of business. Jointly leading the practice is Steven Thiruneelakandan and Janice Anne Leo, who  assist clients in drafting and implementing human resource and disciplinary-related policies. Adrienne Sena is another key contact in the group.

At Zain & Co, the team handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, thus providing a full range of services to primarily corporate clients, from advising on employment contracts, mutual separation agreements, and retrenchment of employees representing clients in a wide range of disputes, particularly unfair dismissals. Jointly leading the team, Sharmini Durai regularly represents corporate clients in disputes involving a wide range of employment-related issues, while Rebecca Jeyanthi Selvaraj advises on corporate matters involving employment elements.

Leading the department at Chooi & Company, Yap Yeong Hui possesses extensive experience in employment-related matters such as contractor arrangements, employee contracts, and dismissals across disputes, advisory and drafting. The team handles the full range of employment issues such as workplace safety, personal data protection, and trade union issues across a wide range of industries.

The team at Gan Partnership specialises in employment and industrial relation disputes, assisting local and foreign corporations working across a variety of industries. Often representing clients at all levels of courts, the team’s capabilities include restrictive covenants, unfair dismissals, and employment contracts. Outside of the firm’s specialisation, it also offers assistance on non-contentious matters. Leading the practice is skilled litigator Gan Khong Aik.

At MahWengKwai & Associates, the employment and industrial relations department engages in matters relating to disciplinary procedures, termination of employees, and unfair dismissal at the Industrial Court. The team represents non-profit organisations, companies, and individuals across a range of industry sectors. Leading the team is Raymond Mah, specialising in dispute resolution and regularly appears before various levels of the domestic courts.