Employment

Singapore | Drew & Napier

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Employment 2024 – Tier 1 for 9 consecutive years

Kelvin Tan – Recommended Lawyer for 9 consecutive years
Benjamin Gaw – Recommended Lawyer for 8 consecutive years
Lim Chong Kin – Recommended Lawyer for 4 consecutive years; Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years (2016-2019)
Rakesh Kirpalani – Recommended Individual for 3 consecutive years
Ang Wei Shuen – Recommended Lawyer

• “Kelvin Tan has deep expertise and is very responsive and professional and this can be seen in his team as well. He provides practical guidance and recognises that the ideal legal position or taking a conservative position is not always feasible from the client’s perspective.”
• “Good service and personalised attention.”
• “Their team is very flexible and client oriented. They will not push their legal point of view and respect our business perspective and risk appetite.”
• “Rakesh Kirpalani and Ang Wei Shuen are dedicated to their professional work.”
• “Kelvin Tan’s team is client-centric. They know what the client needs, and deliver top-notch advice each time.”
• “Kelvin Tan offers practical and helpful strategic advice, which enables businesses to navigate murky waters with confidence.”
• “Good expertise and responsiveness.”
• “Excellent legal skills combined with practical and business friendly advice.”
• “High level of responsiveness and availability for urgent discussions. Understands business and the company’s perspectives well to find a balanced solution to mitigate risks.”
• “Benjamin Gaw – he is always available and understands the issues well.”
  
• “Legal expertise coupled with practical advice and guidance. Prompt and client-focused service.”
• “Partners and associates have good subject matter expertise, and provide prompt service.”
• “Prompt response. Willing to explain, clear advice given. Have comfort that full attention is given to us.”
• Sources say Drew & Napier LLC “"distinguishes itself with its extensive knowledge of employment matters and the quality of its advice" and it "provides sound business advice that can be swiftly implemented.""
• “Drew & Napier LLC’s "responsive and incredibly thorough" team regularly handles the employment aspects of cross-border corporate transactions and mergers between multinational companies as well as investigations and raids by the regulator... Lim Chong Kin [is] also recommended.” 
• “Kelvin Tan is a valuable resource for contentious matters.”
• “[Kelvin Tan] is always attuned to clients’ needs and available to discuss their concerns.”
• “Benjamin Gaw is highly rated as a non-contentious employment specialist.”
• “’True subject matter expert’ Benjamin Gaw is ‘practical and efficient, able to deliver timely and accurately pitched advice’"
• “Benjamin Gaw handles non-contentious work such as data protection, immigration and post-acquisition matters. He is praised for his ‘quick turnaround time’.”
• “Rakesh Kirpalani listens well then offers clear and lucid advice.”
• “Rakesh Kirpalani provides expertise in technology-related employment disputes.”
  

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Employment 2024 – Band 2 for 11 consecutive years

Kelvin Tan – Band 3 for 4 consecutive years; Recognised practitioner for 3 consecutive years (2018-2020)
Benjamin Gaw – Band 3 for 4 consecutive years; Recognised practitioner in 2020

• "Drew & Napier are very knowledgeable for Singapore-specific legal matters and processes."
• "The team provides prompt responses and practical advice that is fit for purpose."
• Drew & Napier's team consists of "very efficient and smart litigators who are able to bring their skills to bear in any employment dispute."
• "Their advice is always led by strong sense of commercial issues. This is definitely one of their greatest strengths. They do not advise in a vacuum - they are quick to pick up on commercial direction."
• "Drew & Napier provides relevant advice which is fit for purpose. They are able to respond on an urgent basis."
• Drew & Napier's team consists of "very efficient and smart litigators who are able to bring their skills to bear in any employment dispute."
• "They can always be trusted to provide pragmatic advice."
• One client describes their working relationship with the team as "positive, because they know our business inside out. Their key strengths include great depth of knowledge on the law, as well as going beyond this and taking on challenges."
• "Adept at bringing calm to the storm and guiding us through contentious employment matters that can get stressful in nature."
• A client notes that "Drew & Napier is our go-to law firm because of their impeccable and commercially sound advice."
• "The arguments they put forth are logical and I find that they are protecting our interest."
• “Excellent client services,” adding that it is “always prompt and responsive.”
• "They are very responsive and always answer the question. They don't just state the law like some law firms do. Instead they give you something you can actually use."
• "Extremely professional, sound advice and very prompt in serving their clients."
• "I am continually impressed by their thoroughness."
• "They have a proactive approach, they respond quickly and are willing to work on international projects."
• One client praises Kelvin for his "knowledge of employment legislation, referencing case laws around the world and applying it to our matters."
• "Benjamin understands the issues we're trying to deal with and offers succinct advice, giving the key points."
• Benjamin is described as "very helpful and extremely responsive".

Who's Who Legal
Global Guide: Labour & Employment 2023
Kelvin Tan – Leading Lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Benjamin Gaw – Leading Lawyer for 11 consecutive years

National Guide: Southeast Asia – Labour, Employment & Employment 2023
Kelvin Tan – Leading Lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Benjamin Gaw – Leading Lawyer for 3 consecutive years

• “Kelvin Tan is highly esteemed for his outstanding track-record resolving complex employment disputes in both arbitration and litigation proceedings.”
• “Benjamin Gaw applies his vast experience to complex employment disputes and advisory work spanning across multiple sectors.”
  

Malaysia | Shearn Delamore & Co.

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Employment & Industrial Relations 2022 – Band 1 for 13 consecutive years

Sivabalah Nadarajah – Band 1 Leading Individual for 13 consecutive years
Vijayan Venugopal – Band 2 Leading Individual for 12 consecutive years and Band 3 Leading Individual (2010)
Raymond Low – Band 1 Leading Individual for 2 consecutive years, Band 2 Leading Individual for 7 years (2014-2019 and 2022) and Band 3 Leading Individual (2013)
Suganthi Singam – Band 4 Leading Individual for 5 consecutive years and Band 3 Leading Individual for 4 years (2011-2013 and 2022)

• A client comments that "the knowledge of the team at Shearn Delamore & Co on employment regulations is top, but what sets them apart is their commerciality and giving us lots of options."
• A client attests: "We appreciate that their lawyers are accessible and responsive. When we require advice on an urgent basis, Shearn Delamore & Co is always able to accommodate our requests at short notice."
• Clients are enthusiastic regarding the team's work ethic, commenting: "They are competent, efficient and humble. They are very reliable, and above all, they always keep us updated on outstanding cases promptly."
• Another source comments: "Their advice is accurate and good, and the turnaround time is outstanding; they exceed my expectations most of the time."
• Clients are impressed by the team's attentiveness, reporting: "They are reliable, approachable and very responsive to our needs. They are prompt in attending to our enquiries and are flexible."
• Other clients highlight the firm's depth of expertise, describing it as "reliable and well versed in the field of industrial relations."
• Clients are particularly happy with the speed and quality of their service: "They are a great firm to work with. They have an excellent turnaround time and I am comfortable with their advice."
• Other clients concur: "They adopt a very open communication and they're always helpful. They respond to us very quickly, within a day or two. They're dependable and available when we need their advice.
• Another client adds: "The counsel and advice given is always well thought-out and sound."
• "They provide clear, straight-to-the-point advice which is easy to comprehend."
• "We appreciate their quick response time and they give us sound opinions."
• Pragmatic advice: "When I need legal advice on employee relations, I go to them because the advice they give is sound and I get the results that I need."
• Responsiveness: "They are very professional, co-operative and reliable, very reachable and fast to respond."
• Sources say: "They definitely have a top-tier employment practice."
• One client describes the team as "reliable and quick to respond," before going on to add that "they keep the client updated, providing regular updates on landmark court cases and holding forums on current hot topics."

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Labour and Employment 2022 - Top Tier for 13 consecutive years

Sivabalah Nadarajah – Leading Individual for 5 consecutive years
Raymond Low – Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years and Recommended Lawyer (2017)
Reena Enbasegaram – Recommended Lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Vijayan Venugopal – Recommended Lawyer (2016 and 2022)
Suganthi Singam – Recommended Lawyer for 5 consecutive years (2016-2018 and 2022)
Wong Kian Jun – Recommended Lawyer for 2 consecutive years (2017 & 2018)

• “provides quick advice and offers practical solutions”
• Shearn Delamore & Co's 'talented' practice provides 'sound advice and practical solutions' across a wide range of employment matters, especially contentious ones
• “Messrs Shearn Delamore is one of the top tier firms if not the top in many diverse fields of law. I have experience working with them for the past 20 years as a litigation lawyer and now as in house counsel. They are obviously highly knowledgeable in Employment matters and have a commercial sense which is valuable especially to our organization”
• “Very well versed in the law and very experienced which shows in their handling of matters.”
• “Professional, competent, strategic, collaborative and always well prepared.”
• “The firm is engaged and well-grounded for as many years as I can look back. I have been around for the past 40 years, keeping abreast with their accomplishments and setting precedents. The source of their success is exploring all possibilities to establish unbiased views or interpretations of complex scenarios.”

asialaw Profiles
Labour and Employment 2022 – Outstanding Firm for 7 consecutive years

Sivabalah Nadarajah – Elite Practitioner for 3 consecutive years and Leading Lawyers for 7 consecutive years (2013-2019)
Vijayan Venugopal – Distinguished Practitioner for 3 consecutive years
Raymond Low – Distinguished Practitioner for 3 consecutive years and Leading Lawyers for 3 consecutive years (2017-2019)

• “They responded well ahead of the promised time, always responsive. They have the sense towards the case, this gives us the added confidence.”
• “They were very detailed and meticulous during preparation and trial. Quick-witted too.”
• “Good and reliable. Always keep us informed of the progress.”
• Shearn Delamore & Co has a “renowned reputation in handling litigation relating to employment dismissal”, says a client. Beyond disputes, the practice has “an excellent grasp of the business and operational issues thus able to provide pragmatic and sound legal advice”, adds another client
• “The firm consistently provides not only sound but practical solutions coupled with a quick turnaround time,” says a client.
• Shearn Delamore & Co possesses one of the largest and “best run” labour and employment practices in the country, say peers and clients. The firm continues its dominance of the market, with one market observer noting: “The depth of the labour and employment practice at the firm is hard to beat. With its reputation as a top dispute resolution practice, the lawyers there are well equipped with all the necessary experience to get the best results.”
• “Knowledgeable, experienced and friendly.”

Indonesia | Makarim & Taira S.

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Employment 2024 – Band 1; Previously Band 2 for 6 consecutive years

Lia Alizia – Band 1

• "The understanding of business and ability to provide a pragmatic solution to an issue are strong attributes of Makarim & Taira."
• "The lawyers in the firm have in-depth legal knowledge of employment law and regulations in Indonesia."
• Lia Alizia: "Lia Alizia is a well-known lawyer in Indonesia specialising in employment law. Her experience and commercial awareness brings value to her legal advice."

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Labour & Employment 2024 – Tier 1 for 11 consecutive years

Lia Alizia – Leading Individual
Harris Toengkagie – Next Generation Partners

• "Very knowledgeable and prompt."
• "They provide spot-on advice within urgent timelines."
• "They provide excellent services both for litigation and for corporate matters."
• Harris Toengkagie: "Harris Toengkagie is an excellent lawyer. He is very clear and concise in providing legal advice and solutions to our legal issues."

Benchmark Litigation
Labour & Employment 2023 – Tier 1 for 6 consecutive years

Lia Alizia - Litigation Star and Top 100 Women in Litigation
Hendrik Alfian Pasaribu - Future Star

Asia Business Law Journal’s Top 100 Lawyers in Indonesia
Lia Alizia – Indonesia’s A-List Lawyers for 3 consecutive years

Lia Alizia - Litigation Star and Top 100 Women in Litigation
Hendrik Alfian Pasaribu - Future Star

Philippines | MVGS 

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Labour and Employment 2021 – Top Tier firm; Tier 2 firm from 2018-2020; Tier 3 firm from 2016 -2017

Reynaldo Dizon – Recommended Lawyer for 6 consecutive years since 2016
Kristine Bongcaron – Recommended Lawyer in 2017

• “The partners in the firm are extremely responsive, personable, and knowledgeable in their field. Along with expert advice, they offer a personal touch that I haven’t experience working with other law firms.”
• “All the individuals working at MVGS that I have encountered have been professional and easy to work with.”

Thailand | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Employment 2023 – Band 1 for 3 consecutive years

Chusert Supasitthumrong – Band 2 for 2 consecutive years
Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut – Band 1 for 3 consecutive years

• "The team provides well thought-out responses that are commercial and easy to digest."
• Chusert Supasitthumrong “is very senior and has been in the market for a number of years.”
• Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut “is a very capable lawyer and we have had a good experience dealing with her. She listens to our needs and is able to deliver advice that is sound and easy to understand."

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Labor and Employment 2023 – Tier 1 for 6 consecutive year

Chusert Supasitthumrong – Leading Individual
Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut – Leading Individual for 6 consecutive years

• “The team is partner led and responsive to requests. Pricing is competitive, and they are commercial in their outlook.”
• Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut “is always available and gives very commercial and sound advice.”
• Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut “is very responsive and pragmatic in her advice.”

Asialaw Profiles
Labor and Employment 2024 – Outstanding for 3 consecutive years

Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut – Distinguished Practitioner for 4 consecutive years

Vietnam | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Employment 2023 – Band 2

Kien Trung Trinh – Band 3 for 2 consecutive years

• "The team is familiar with the complex employment regime in Vietnam and is responsive in order to meet the tight deadlines imposed on them."
• "Mr Kien Trung Trinh is tremendously competent and efficient."

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Labor & Employment 2023 - Tier 2
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration 2023 - Tier 2

Sarah Galeski - Next Generation Partner

• “Highly responsive, practical insights, and solution-oriented.”
• “Sarah Galeski is an outstanding lawyer. She’s professional, personable, and highly capable at delivering valuable advice.”
• “Sarah Galeski is certainly an excellent adviser. She is knowledgeable and friendly, makes time for her clients and proposes practical business solutions.”

Asialaw Profiles

Labor and Employment 2024 – Highly Recommended for 9 consecutive years

Kien Trung Trinh – Distinguished Practitioner for 4 consecutive years

Cambodia | Tilleke & Gibbins

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Employment legal practice in Cambodia.

Tilleke & Gibbins is ranked in the following related practice areas.

Chambers Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Band 2 for 3 consecutive years

Jay Cohen – Band 2 for 2 consecutive years
David Mol – Associate to Watch

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Tier 2 for 6 consecutive years

Jay Cohen – Leading Individual for 3 consecutive years
David Mol – Next Generation Partner for 6 consecutive years

Asialaw Profiles
General Business Law 2024 – Highly Recommended for 7 consecutive years

Laos | Tilleke & Gibbins

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Employment legal practice in Laos.

Tilleke & Gibbins is ranked in the following related practice areas.

Chambers Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Band 2 for 2 consecutive years

Dino Santaniello – Band 2 for 4 consecutive years

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Tier 1 for 6 consecutive years

Dino Santaniello – Leading Individual for 5 consecutive years

Asialaw Profiles
General Business Law 2024 – Highly Recommended for 7 consecutive years

Myanmar | Tilleke & Gibbins

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Employment legal practice in Myanmar.

Tilleke & Gibbins is ranked in the following related practice areas.

Chambers Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Band 4 for 4 consecutive years

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2023 – Tier 2 for 8 consecutive years

Asialaw Profiles
General Business Law 2024 – Recommended for 5 consecutive years