Handling contentious employment law matters for multinational corporations, the practice at Jeeva Partnership is jointly led by Dato Shamesh and Kumarappan Ramasamy, who handle cases involving employee misconduct, trade union disputes, and corporate reorganisations.

Led by Imaduddin Suhaimi and Brian Lew, the team at Imaduddin & Lew Chambers advises on employment packages, retrenchment processes, and unfair dismissals, displaying cross-border capabilities through its extensive client roster.

The employment team at Azman, Davidson & Co, led by Sonia Abraham, brings a broad general litigation background to high-stakes disputes for multinational corporations, including matters concerning wrongful termination, discrimination, and large-scale retrenchments.

Rajeswari Karupiah joined the firm in early 2025 to spearhead the employment team at Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership and advises on large-scale corporate restructurings, fraud investigations involving senior executives, and collective bargaining with trade unions.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill‘s employment and industrial relations practice handles the full spectrum of advisory and contentious matters for a client roster of multinational corporations and government-linked companies. The team advises on compliance with statutory obligations, restructuring exercises such as retrenchments, and trade union matters. On the contentious side, it routinely represents clients in high-profile disputes involving terminations and unfair dismissal claims. The practice is led by Lim Heng Seng, who handles all aspects of employment and industrial relations law and advises on dispute avoidance strategies. The team’s litigation capabilities are a key strength; Shariffullah Majeed has significant experience in industrial relations disputes, including sensitive matters such as investigations into corruption and sexual harassment complaints, while Amardeep Singh Toor frequently appears in the Industrial Court to defend employers in unfair dismissal claims and advises on retrenchment exercises. Complementing the practice's offering is Tan Hooi Ping, who specialises in the advisory aspects of employment law, particularly in relation to M&A and corporate regulations.

Shearn Delamore & Co's long-established employment and industrial relations practice handles a comprehensive range of advisory and contentious matters for employers. The team advises on terms and conditions of employment, disciplinary actions, and restructuring exercises such as retrenchments. On the contentious side, the practice represents clients in employment tribunals and courts and handles matters concerning trade unions and collective bargaining. The practice is led by Vijayan Venugopal, whose expertise covers industrial disputes, collective bargaining, and dismissals. The team also includes Sivabalah Nadarajah, who brings significant employment experience to the practice, and Raymond Low, whose work includes advising on employee misconduct and data protection law.

Skrine's employment practice provides a comprehensive range of advisory and contentious services. The team handles all aspects of employment-related matters, including disciplinary actions, performance management, large-scale workforce reductions, and business reorganisations. The practice also represents clients across the full range of employment disputes, including unfair dismissal actions, trade disputes, and high-value civil litigation involving fraud and breaches of confidentiality. The practice is led by Selvamalar Alagaratnam, whose work includes advising on internal fraud management, business and human rights issues, and employee exits. Also in the team is Foo Siew Li, who handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, with expertise in performance management, internal investigations into fraud and sexual harassment, and the social aspect of ESG compliance.

Wong & Partners‘s employment practice provides a full-service offering, covering the entire cycle of employment matters from advisory to contentious representation. The team’s expertise includes handling industrial relations disputes, employee fraud investigations, and litigation, alongside advisory work on employee mobility and the employment aspects of corporate reorganisations and spin-offs. The practice is co-led by Eddie Chuah and Trishelea Ann Sandosam; Chuah’s work is focused on complex, contentious matters, and he frequently appears as lead counsel in the Industrial and Civil Courts on matters of employee fraud and misconduct. Sandosam’s broad practice covers both contentious and non-contentious work, including advising on employee mobility and voluntary separation schemes.

Zul Rafique & Partners's employment and industrial relations practice advises on the full spectrum of contentious and advisory matters. The team handles the drafting of employment contracts and policies, large-scale workforce restructurings, including retrenchments, and the employment aspects of M&A transactions. On the contentious side, the practice is highly sought after for unfair dismissal claims, industrial actions, and trade disputes. The practice is led by a team that includes P. Jayasingam, Wong Keat Ching, Thavaselvi Pararajasingam, and Teoh Alvare. Pararajasingam’s expertise encompasses employment litigation and advisory work, including unfair dismissal claims and corporate restructuring exercises, while Alvare regularly advises on investigations into employee misconduct, drafts employment documentation, and handles dismissal disputes.

Christopher & Lee Ong's employment and industrial relations practice provides a full-service offering covering both advisory and contentious matters. The team advises on business reorganisations, retrenchment exercises, and employee share incentive schemes, and also has expertise in compliance work related to forced labour and anti-corruption. On the contentious side, the practice handles disputes concerning unfair dismissal and breach of contract. The practice is co-led by Yee Ming Yau and Kelvin Kho. Ming’s expertise is in managing complex negotiations and the employment aspects of M&A and large-scale procurements. Kho’s work includes structuring retrenchment exercises and advising on compliance matters, such as forced labour and anti-corruption. Also in the team is Rubini Murugesan, who focuses on employment and construction-related disputes, representing clients in unfair termination cases and trade union negotiations.

Donovan & Ho's employment practice handles a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters, with specific industry expertise in the hospitality, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The team represents clients in unfair dismissal claims and trade disputes before the Industrial Court, and also advises on the employment aspects of M&A transactions. The practice’s work also includes conducting internal investigations into employee misconduct. The team is led by Donovan Cheah, who handles both contentious and non-contentious employment law issues. Also in the team is Th’ng Yan Nie, who represents clients in employment disputes and also acts as a neutral third party in sexual harassment investigations.

Peter Ling & van Geyzel's employment practice advises multinational employers on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The team handles large-scale reductions-in-force, complex employee transfers as part of M&A and restructurings, and dismissals for misconduct or poor performance. The practice also defends and negotiates settlements in unfair dismissal claims and acts for senior executives in employment-related issues. The practice is led by Marcus van Geyzel, a specialist employment lawyer who advises international law firms and global and regional in-house counsel on complex Malaysian labour law.

Rahmat Lim & Partners‘s employment practice handles a wide range of advisory and contentious mandates. The team’s advisory expertise encompasses share options, pension schemes, collective bargaining, and the employment aspects of M&A transactions and takeovers. On the contentious side, the practice routinely handles wrongful dismissal claims, enforcement of confidentiality clauses, and investigations into employee wrongdoing. The practice is led by Jack Yow, whose broad litigation practice covers corporate, banking, and employment disputes. Also in the team is Kwong Chiew Ee, whose experience includes corporate and commercial litigation, contentious restructuring and insolvency, and fraud litigation.

Raja, Darryl & Loh's employment and industrial relations practice handles a broad range of advisory and contentious matters for local and multinational companies. The team’s advisory work includes structuring retrenchment exercises, preparing mutual separation agreements, and reviewing employee handbooks for legal compliance. On the contentious side, the practice regularly represents employers in unfair dismissal and constructive dismissal cases before the Industrial Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal. The practice is led by Tham Li Vyen, who often advises on a range of employment and industrial relations issues, including occupational health and safety, and also represents clients in court appeals.

Shook Lin & Bok's long-established employment and labour practice handles a range of contentious and advisory matters. The team has experience representing both employers and employees in disputes before all levels of the Malaysian courts, and its offering encompasses representation in cases involving breaches of employment contracts and fiduciary obligations, as well as fraudulent misrepresentation. The practice is led by Mehala Marimuthoo, whose expertise covers employment and general litigation; Marimuthoo also heads the firm’s competition and antitrust department.

Tay & Partners predominantly acts for employers in both contentious and non-contentious mandates, including wrongful dismissal and sexual harassment cases, contractual mandates, and matters surrounding industrial relations, as well as work involving employee benefits and incentive schemes, immigration issues, and collective agreements. Its client roster includes banks and financial institutions on a local and international level, government bodies, and local companies. Practice head Leonard Yeoh has appeared before all levels of the Malaysian and Singaporean courts, while Pua Jun Wen is experienced in unfair dismissal and disciplinary proceedings.

Chooi & Company's employment practice handles the full range of advisory and contentious work, representing clients in both the civil courts and the Industrial Court. The practice is co-led by Yap Yeong Hui and Kenson Ong Poh Hong, whose collective expertise covers the employment aspects of M&A and restructurings, internal investigations, and compliance matters. Hui’s work also includes personal data protection and occupational health and safety issues, while Hong’s practice includes advising on employment contracts, employee benefits, and anti-bribery compliance.

Josephine, L K Chow & Co's employment and industrial relations practice handles advisory work, dispute resolution, and domestic inquiries. The leadership team has a strong contentious focus; Edward Saw Keat Leong is an experienced litigator in the Industrial and Civil Courts, while Jerry Low Kok Kiang handles dismissal claims and collective agreement disputes, and Jeanne Liew Shwu Jin also assists with employment litigation. Josephine Ng Bee Leng leads the advisory side of the practice, with a notable specialism in advising Japanese clients on employment matters.

LAW Partnership's employment and industrial relations practice provides a range of legal services, covering advisory, compliance, and litigation. The team handles high-stakes trial and appellate court disputes, including matters before the Industrial Court. The practice is led by Nimisha Jaya Gobi, whose expertise includes commercial and civil disputes, director and shareholder disputes, and advisory on contract interpretations. Gobi is ably supported by Shazreen Sher, who assists with advisory matters concerning dismissals, retrenchment, and misconduct.

Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership's employment and labour law practice handles a wide range of advisory and contentious matters. The team’s expertise covers representation in unfair dismissal claims, advice on complex retrenchment exercises, and assistance with internal investigations into allegations of misconduct. The practice is jointly led by Steven Thiruneelakandan and Janice Anne Leo; the former boasts a long-standing practice covering both advisory and counsel work in employment disputes, and the latter's workload includes handling contentious labour issues in court and guiding clients on drafting HR policies and managing disciplinary procedures. The team’s strong capabilities are further bolstered by David Yew Kiat Ng, who represents clients in dismissal and trade union disputes.

T Thavalingam & Co‘s practice is a specialist boutique focused on high-stakes contentious employment and industrial relations matters for government-linked and multinational companies. The team is particularly active in the aviation sector and has experience in precedent-setting disputes concerning the employment status of drivers in the gig economy. The department is led by Dato’ Thavalingam C. Thavarajah, who handles high-profile employment disputes and corporate restructuring exercises. Other key individuals include Rebecca Alfred, who advises clients on contentious matters, and Sebastian Tay Hanxin, who is experienced in industrial disputes.

Zain & Co's labour and employment practice handles a range of contentious and non-contentious work for corporate clients. The team routinely represents clients in unfair dismissal claims at the Industrial Court and advises on employment contracts, retrenchment exercises, and business closures. The practice is co-led by Sharmini Durai, whose work is focused on contentious matters such as unfair dismissal claims, and Rebecca Jeyanthi Selvaraj, who handles the corporate aspects of employment law, including M&A and restructurings.

Gan Partnership's employment and industrial relations practice handles a wide range of advisory and contentious matters for local and foreign corporations. The team’s expertise covers restrictive covenants, unfair dismissal claims, and the protection of trade secrets, as well as non-contentious work, such as drafting employment contracts and advising on dismissals and retrenchments. The practice is led by Gan Khong Aik, a seasoned dispute resolution lawyer with a focus on employment litigation. The team’s capabilities are bolstered by Lee Sze Ching, who handles employment litigation, advisory work regarding disciplinary actions, and matters concerning trade unions.

MahWengKwai & Associates's employment and industrial relations department advises businesses and employers on a range of contentious and non-litigious matters. The team’s work includes handling unfair dismissal claims and trade disputes, alongside advice on disciplinary procedures and workforce reductions. The practice is led by Raymond Mah, who has a broad dispute resolution practice covering civil and corporate litigation. The team’s capabilities are bolstered by Naveen Joshua Solomon, whose work focuses on dismissal cases and trade union disputes.

Richard Wee Chambers is a boutique firm with a practice that combines a core focus on employment law with niche expertise in sports, technology, and ESG. The firm’s cross-border capabilities have recently been expanded through a collaboration with the Chinese firm Grandall Law Firm. Richard Wee’s work spans employment, sports, and technology law, and the contentious employment offering is a key part of Desmond Ho‘s practice. Joining the team in 2025, Ho’s practice encompasses advice on dismissals, retrenchment issues, and corporate disputes. The team’s advisory work is bolstered by Darren Lai, whose expertise includes company law and ESG policies.