The practice at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is led by Lim Seng Heng, who is highly regarded for his ‘deep knowledge’ in labour, employment and industrial relations mandates in Malaysia. The team handles a broad range of matters, including advisory issues concerning misconduct alleged by employees, constructive dismissal, poor performance and restructuring exercises, in addition regulatory mandates involving aspects of contract law, from drafting to ensuring compliance. Industrial relations expert Shariffullah Majeed is regularly supported by senior associate Nurul Aisyah Hassan, while Amardeep Singh Toor frequently appears in the Industrial Court to defend employers in unjust dismissal claims. Tan Hooi Ping, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, is another key contact in the group.

Led by Vijayan Venugopal, the team at Shearn Delamore & Co handles the full range of matters for its roster of clients, including corporate employers, multinational companies and government-linked entities. The practice advises on such aspects as the terms and conditions of complex contracts, disciplinary action and termination proceedings, in addition to union issues. Sivabalah Nadarajah is noted for his expertise in trade union disputes, while Raymond Low frequently appears before the Court of Appeal, High Court, Industrial Court and Labour Court in Malaysia.

Housing a team of practitioners with ‘impressive track records and impeccable legal skills’, Skrine acts for employers on the full scope of mandates, including investigations into breaches of employee confidentiality, disciplinary actions, reductions in workforce and general compliance issues. The team also advises clients on maintaining minimal exposure throughout disputes, in addition to handling civil actions and cases at the Federal Court, namely in relation to breaches of contract or restrictive covenant, and recovery of funds matters. Selvamalar Alagaratnam leads the practice and Foo Siew Li advises on contentious and non-contentious employment issues, while Siva Kumar Kanagasabai is noted for her expertise in shipping-related employment mandates.

Wong & Partners’ team is jointly led by Eddie Chuah and Trishelea Ann Sandosam, who joined the firm from Skrine in January 2023. The practice advises its portfolio of clients on the full range of employment matters and, as such, its workload spans from the hiring of employees, to terminations and redundancies, in addition to assisting employers in cases concerning alleged misappropriation, fraud, breaches of non-competes, and misuse of information. Notably, the team also has experience assisting in sensitive cases, from those involving alleged misconduct and inappropriate behaviour, to the wellbeing of employees. The team is linked more broadly to Baker McKenzie LLP and its connection therein consolidates the firm’s international reach. Brian Chia, who advises on the corporate, commercial and security aspects of employment matters, is another key contact in the group.

Praised for its ‘extensive knowledge and experience’, Zul Rafique & Partners’ labour and employment offering covers the full range of of matters. The practice is collectively overseen by industrial relations and employment expert P Jayasingam, Wong Keat Ching, who has a ‘strong ability to provide a holistic view of a case’, Thavaselvi Pararajasingam, who handles matters involving forensic investigation and compliance issues, and Teoh Alvare, who regularly appears in the Industrial Court. The team acts for employers in matters concerning retrenchment, employee misconduct, and unfair dismissal, frequently brought by multiple claimants, in addition to representing clients in disputes before the Court of Appeal. Associate Loh Qiao Wen is another key contact in the group.

Christopher & Lee Ong’s team advises its client roster on the full scope of labour and employment work, including domestic and cross-border advisory matters ranging from unfair dismissal, breaches of contract and redundancies to mandates concerning alleged force labour and harassment in the workplace. The practice also has demonstrable experience in handling litigious cases, a key focus for Rubini Murugesan. Yee Ming Yau jointly spearheads the team alongside Kelvin Kho, who takes a ‘solutions-oriented approach and provides high-quality advice’ on employment compliance issues.

Noted for it expertise in the hospitality, IT, construction and manufacturing sectors, Donovan & Ho handles a broad range of matters concerning employment contracts and policies, compliance with employment legislation, termination and management of employees, in addition to unfair dismissal claims. Praised for its ‘successful track record and unique strengths’, the team also has demonstrable experience before the Industrial Court and the Director General of Labour. Donovan Cheah leads the team and handles the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment mandates, while Th'ng Yan Nie represents clients in Industrial Court proceedings.

Praised as a 'creative and pragmatic lawyer', Marcus van Geyzel leads the 'responsive and highly commercial' team at Peter Ling & van Geyzel. The practice advises on employee restructurings, including the employee-related aspects of acquisitions, in addition to retrenchments and redundancies, workplace health and safety cases, and contentious staff management mandates. It is also well-equipped to advise on compliance issues relating to contracts, policies and legislation.

Housing a team of 'experienced professionals, who are business-savvy yet compassionate', Rahmat Lim & Partners handles employment disputes, including unfair dismissals, enforcement of confidentiality clauses and disciplinary proceedings, in addition to restructuring and reorganisation exercises. Head of the firm's litigation department, Jack Yow leads the team and has experience in industrial relations and employment disputes.

The team at Raja, Darryl & Loh acts for employers in mandates concerning alleged unfair dismissals and agreed contract dissolution, in addition to cases before the Industrial Court. Ravindra Kumar Rengasamy leads the practice and focuses on matters involving redundancies and retrenchments, as well as advising on contractual aspects of employment mandates, from contract formation to separation agreements. Praised as ‘responsive and accommodating to clients’ needs’, Tham Li Vyen is another key contact in the group.

Shook Lin & Bok acts for employers in disputes brought by employees alleging unfair dismissal and pursuing claims against employees wherein gross misconduct or fraud is being claimed, in addition handling disputes surrounding the alleged wrongful registration of trade unions. Key sectors of expertise include oil and gas, broadcasting and manufacturing. Mehala Marimuthoo, who is praised as ‘committed in safeguarding clients’ interests’, jointly leads the team alongside Romesh Abraham.

Led by Leonard Yeoh, Tay & Partners’ team assists on mandates ranging from employee contract and documentation creation, wrongful dismissals, and occupational safety to sensitive cases such as those involving claims of harassment in the workplace, and those involving issues of immigration. The team also advises clients on compliance issues associated with the Employment (Amendment) Act 2022. According to clients, Yeoh and associate Pua Jun Wen are ‘in a league of their own’ and stand out for ‘their indefatigable commitment to their clients’.

Led by Rohan Arasoo Jeyabalah, the team at Harold & Lam Partnership acts for both claimants and defendants in cases of alleged unfair dismissal, often as a result of restructuring or retrenchment, in addition to representing employees alleging to have been unfairly placed under performance improvement plans. Key work highlights include representing an employer in a RM1m dispute against former employees regarding claims of conspiracy and fraud.

Housing a 'team of knowledgeable professionals', Josephine, L K Chow & Co is well-equipped to advise clients on matters involving such issues as claims of discrimination, in addition to unfair dismissal claims. Litigator Edward Saw Keat Leong, who frequently appears before the Industrial Courts and the Civil Courts, jointly leads the team alongside commercial and employment expert Josephine Ng Bee Leng and Yip Huen Weng.

LAW Partnership’s team, praised for its ’employment expertise’, advises on a range of employment regulatory matters, namely contracts, policies and procedures. Additionally, with support of the firm’s wider disputes offering, the team is well-placed to handle such contentious matters as allegations of unfair dismissal, and demands for unpaid funds, as well as assisting companies in placing employees under performance reviews. Nimisha Jaya Gobi leads the team and consultant Fredrick Nicholas joined the practice from Shui-Tai Advocates & Solicitors in July 2023.

Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership handles unfair dismissal claims, often involving allegations of misconduct, for its portfolio of clients, including employer defendants and employee claimants. ‘Knowledgeable’ Janice Anne Leo, who advises on contentious employment and labour issues at the Industrial Court, High Court and Appellate Courts, jointly leads the team alongside ‘sharp and strategic’ Steven Thiruneelakandan.

Zain & Co’s 'top-notch' team is jointly led by employment disputes expert Sharmini Durai and Rebecca Jeyanthi Selvaraj. The practice acts for corporate clients in unfair dismissal claims before the Industrial Court, in addition to advising on employment-related agreements and contracts, and compliance issues therein. Matters involving the arrangement of employee secondments to foreign jurisdictions is another key area of expertise.

Yap Yeong Hui is a key contact in Chooi & Company’s practice, handling a range of employment disputes at the High Court, namely claims of unfair dismissal and in support of both employers and employees. The team also advises on the regulatory and contractual aspects of employment mandates, and is noted for its expertise in the manufacturing, technology and insurance sectors. Ke Xin Lim departed to Cheang & Ariff in March 2023.

The practice at Gan Partnership advises its portfolio of national clients on a range of labour and employment matters, namely those involving claims of unfair dismissal, in addition to matters of retrenchments and restructurings, and the termination of contracts. Gan Khong Aik leads the team and Lee Sze Ching, who focuses on industrial relations disputes, was promoted to partner in January 2023.

Raymond Mah leads the team at MahWengKwai & Associates with the support of John Chan. Counting SMEs and family-run enterprises among its key roster of clients, the practice advises on trade union-related matters, claims of unfair dismissal brought against employers, and claims of misconduct brought against employees. The team acts for business clients on effective cost-cutting measures, reductions of workforces, terminations, management of performance and disciplinary procedures. Praised as ‘calm, composed and understanding’, senior associate Naveen Joshua Solomon is another key contact in the group.

Praised as 'creative and a master planner', Richard Wee leads the practice at Richard Wee Chambers alongside Darren Lai, which is well-equipped to advise Malaysian corporate clients on sports law-related employment matters. This niche specialism sees the team act for such well-known national entities as National Sports Institute of Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur United Football Club, advising on contractual and procedural mandates, with demonstrable capability in handling claims of unfair dismissal.