Co-headed by labour and employment specialists Donovan Cheah and Shawn Ho, Donovan & Ho is recognised for representing employers and employees on employment contracts, compliance, termination issues and unfair dismissal claims. The practice has represented clients in the Industrial Court, before the Director General of Labour, and in judicial reviews of Ministry of Human Resources and Industrial Court decisions. The firm has also litigated employment-related civil claims and appeals. Cheah’s previous experience as in-house counsel provides the firm with a practical understanding of business that differentiates it from competitors.
Client feedback
“Donovan & Ho (DNH) is the most trusted legal partner that we have seen through our experience of doing business in Malaysia and other Asian countries. Whether winning or losing cases, we always feel satisfied with DNH’s capability, professional manner and strategic advice. We never had to worry about the next steps or the pros and cons of each matter in complex circumstances.” – Dispute resolution
“Honest, professional and does not oversell.” – Labour and employment
“We appreciate the strategies shared when building the company’s defence and the options offered for our consideration. The firm provides straightforward opinions and is pragmatic about a case’s strengths, presenting the worst-case scenario as well as potential outcomes.” – Labour and employment
“They are extremely responsive and fast in delivering work and services. They are also very knowledgeable in labour and employment practice and able to provide advice by balancing our company’s commercial needs and the law.” – Labour and employment
Donovan Cheah
“Provides practical advice in line with the law and industry practice. He is quick and reliable.”
Yan Nie Thng
“Yan Nie is capable and excellent in her job. She helped with the strategy of each case. I never had to doubt or question the next steps and what to expect of the case when working with Yan Nie, especially for litigation where the complexity of the case is not easy to clarify and manage.”
Work highlights
Advised an international hotel operator on employee-related provisions within a sale and purchase agreement arising from the acquisition of a hotel. The firm oversaw and implemented the transfer of employees from the seller to the buyer up to completion date. This involved engaging with trade unions and handling human resources and legal issues within a tight timeframe.
Successfully represented a household appliances manufacturer in an unfair dismissal claim brought by an independent contractor who alleged that he was an employee. Upon non-renewal of his service contract, he claimed unfair dismissal. The firm applied to strike out the claim, arguing the Industrial Court lacked jurisdiction as the claimant was an independent contractor. The Industrial Court ultimately agreed with the firm’s arguments and struck out the claim.
