Allen & Gledhill LLP is at the pinnacle of the labour and employment field, bringing extensive expertise and resources to contentious and non-contentious matters. It also offers wide-ranging experience in health and safety issues, including workplace injury claims and industrial accidents. Along with its steady pipeline of major advisory and transactional engagements, it is also at the forefront of investigations and large-scale disputes, notably appearing in a recent test case on enforcing employee performance ratios. Kelvin Wong and Sanjiv Rajan, who is recognised for both contentious and non-contentious engagements, co-head the employment, health and safety team in Singapore, which includes highly impressive employment litigation specialist Tay Yong Seng , who is ‘a match for any silk’. Christine Tee is also noted for employment disputes. Vincent Leow has left the firm.

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow combines its strong local expertise with exceptional international talent, along with its ability to tap into the resources of the global firm. The Singapore team represents a range of multinationals from multiple industries and is frequently engaged by clients to conduct investigations into alleged discrimination, breaches of internal policies and other matters. The group is also experienced in corporate restructurings and employee transfers, along with often representing clients in litigation before the Singapore courts. Celeste Ang is a leading name in the market, widely recognised for her expertise in investigations and large disputes. Kelvin Poa is another rounded practitioner with a background in advisory and transaction-related issues, including contracts, separation agreements, and non-solicitation and non-competition terms. Zhao Yang Ng is an emerging talent in employment investigations, trade union negotiations and immigration matters. Pradeep Nair was promoted to local principal in 2023.

Drew & Napier LLC has an established team that is equally adept in disputes, alongside transactional, non-contentious and advisory matters. The firm represents a variety of local and international clients on all employment issues, including investigations, restructurings, trade union negotiations, and employment litigation. Head of the employment department Kelvin Tan remains at the forefront of contentious and advisory matters, including termination of employment, restructurings, and enforcement of post-termination restrictive covenants. Fellow department head Benjamin Gaw (‘knowledgeable and sound’) is a leader in transactional and non-contentious issues, such as employment contracts, handbooks and policies, along with employee stock option plans, and trade union and collective agreements. Lim Chong Kin and Rakesh Kirpalani (‘exemplifies leadership and expertise in the field’) are also senior members of the department.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has one of the largest labour and employment teams in Singapore. It is noted for domestic and regional ASEAN engagements, along with international matters through its extensive global connections and membership of Ius Laboris, the global labour and employment legal network. The firm advises numerous multinationals on employment policies and human resources reviews, along with negotiations with trade unions. It is a leader in representing clients in employment disputes, and grievance and disciplinary processes. It also has a fine record in investigations, and retrenchment and restructuring exercises. Desmond Wee heads the non-contentious side of the practice, notably handling trade union matters, retrenchment and termination of employment exercises, along with other areas. Jonathan Yuen heads the employment disputes team having an extensive background in representing employers and c-suite executives in major cases, including defending corporates and financial institutions against headline discrimination claims; he is also rated for employment investigations. Ang Tze Phern is also highly rated by clients for contentious matters and disputes. Murali Pillai SC has left the firm.

WongPartnership LLP continues to elevate its reputation in the labour and employment field with high levels of specialisation covering every key area. It remains known for its expertise in misconduct investigations, retrenchments exercises, trade union negotiations and large disputes. Department heads, Jenny Tsin and Vivien Yui, cover contentious and non-contentious employment matters respectively, both having more than 20 years of experience in the field; Yui has a background in share incentive plans, corporate restructurings, other transaction-related matters and immigration issues, while Tsin is noted for negotiating exit agreements and managing disputes. The firm represents many of Singapore’s largest corporates and institutions, along with a numerous multinationals and international financial sponsors. Chang Qi-Yang is another senior practitioner in the employment disputes arena.

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is a major global player in employment law with the Singapore office upholding the firm’s international reputation. The Singapore office has a dedicated team headed by specialist partner Seow Hui Goh. It has a presence in the local and regional markets, covering both contentious and non-contentious matters. The office continues to handle high-value and sensitive cases for prestigious clients, including defending businesses against wrongful dismissal claims, and assisting clients with the employment aspects of M&A transactions and redundancy exercises.

Dentons Rodyk leverages its extensive expertise from across the firm to deliver a broad spectrum of contentious and non-contentious experience in the labour and employment field. It represents an impressive number of local and regional businesses, along with the local operations of multinationals. It remains prominent in headline employment disputes and large-scale advisory matters, including contracts, employee handbooks and other HR matters. The firm has a large number of senior practitioners that are committed to the employment sector. Deputy managing partner and co-head of the employment group Edric Pan has mix of contentious and non-contentious work, defending clients against large claims and advising on key matters such as enforcing non-compete clauses. I-An Lim and Ray Chiang are partners in the corporate department and also co-head the employment team, with particular expertise in employment contracts, handbooks and trade union negotiations. Mark Seah is also rated for employment disputes.

TSMP Law Corporation operates across the contentious and non-contentious areas, representing a variety of corporates and c-suite individuals. It is frequently referred engagements from large international law firms. The firm has advised large Singapore organisations on major investigations and transaction-related issues (including equity and compensation) over the last year, along with substantial and headline disputes. It ‘delivers an exceptional service and expertise that rivals larger competitors in the industry’. Department head Ian Lim  has over 20 years’ experience in labour and employment matters, with an established record in contentious, transactional and regulatory matters. Nicholas Ngo (‘thinks outside the box’) provides additional senior-level expertise. Angela Chai is making an impression at the senior associate level.

Withers KhattarWong LLP has an especially strong reputation in employment litigation, particularly where it acts for senior executives against large corporates. It also represents a range of corporates and business owners in connection with employment contracts, HR policies and investigations into employee misconduct. It has a fine record in onboarding, termination, exits, redundancies and departure package issues. Amarjit Kaur is a recognised employment specialist with a fine reputation in contentious and non-contentious matters, particularly for senior executives. Deborah Barker SC is an immensely experienced litigator with a considerable focus on employment disputes.

CNPLaw LLP’s established client relationships and solid reputation in Singapore continues to bring it quality employment engagements for large multinationals and local businesses. It continues to assist clients with corporate restructurings and retrenchment exercises, along with immigration advice, employment contracts for senior employees and post-termination obligations. Wong Pei-Ling has emerged as the firm’s primary practitioner in the employment sphere with further expertise provided by Pradeep Kumar Singh.

Harry Elias Partnership is a well established firm in the employment area, especially recognised for its expertise in disputes, including wrongful termination claims and cases linked breaches of contractual obligations, such as non-complete and non-solicitation clauses. Toh Wei Yi is head of the employment team, handling a mix of contentious and non-contentious matters, including drafting employment contracts, termination of employment and retrenchment, and employment disputes. Suressh S is noted for representing employers and employees in disputes involving restrictive covenants.

Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC has devoted considerable expertise and resources to the labour and employment area, drawing a consistent pipeline of compliance and regulatory, employment contract and agreement, and drafting handbook engagements, along with contentious matters such as employment terminations and investigations into employee misconduct. It has continued to make its mark in disputes, including defending clients against wrongful dismissal claims and in connection with enforcing or challenging restrictive covenants. Wai Ming Yap is a transactional lawyer with a background in employment issues, while Wendy Tan has over 20 years’ experience in contentious and non-contentious employment.

Shook Lin & Bok LLP is recognised for its full-service approach to employment law with its mix of contentious and non-contentious expertise, and its focus on multinationals, local businesses and senior executives. The firm particularly stands out for contentious matters, including wrongful dismissal claims, employee misconduct and the enforcement of and defence against restrictive covenants. It is also noted for advising businesses on general employment requirements, such as the imposition of non-competition and non-solicitation obligations.  Teo Mae Shaan has a non-contentious background with a primary emphasis on M&A, corporate transactions, employment and regulatory compliance. Joseph Tay has a background in contentious and non-contentious matters, including general employment and HR advice, along with partnership disputes, restrictive covenant issues and post-termination employment obligations. Charles Lim is another key partner.

Virtus Law LLP has an established team covering both contentious and non-contentious matters. Its client base ranges from major multinationals to high net-worth individuals; it has a particularly close connection to Japanese clients and to insurance companies. The firm remains noted for High Court litigation, including disputes connected to alleged breaches of restrictive covenants, and team-move advice. It is also recognised for restructurings, retrenchments and employee transfers. Christine Ong has a background in contentious and non-contentious matters, while Sheetal Sandhu is experienced in restructurings and M&A-related matters, along with employee share option plans.