WHAT WE DO BEST

We are a boutique law firm in Malaysia best known for its vibrancy, innovation and excellent service standards.

Corporate & Commercial

Dispute Resolution

Employment Law

RECOGNITION

Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Leading Firm
– Labour & Employment

Chambers and Partners

Ranked Firm
– Employment and
Industrial Relations

Asialaw Profiles

Recommended Firm,
Labour and Employment

IFLR1000

Recommended
Firm, M&A

Benchmark Litigation

Litigation Star
(Donovan Cheah)

IN SOME OTHER WORDS

What sets Donovan & Ho apart from other law firms I have worked with is that personal touch. They not just specialise in giving sound legal advice, but they take pride in their work… It feels like it’s tailor-made to suit the needs of their clients. Much effort is made to understand their clients, their business and their needs.

G. Ramakrishnan, Senior Employment Counsel

From the get go, we were able to establish a professional, trusting working partnership with the firm. Donovan & Ho have been my “go to” employment and corporate lawyer… As well as providing the legal tools we needed, we received extensive support, guidance and advice … we go into situations with our eyes open, fully briefed on business ramifications from a legal perspective.

S. Baxendale, Founder

I appreciate Donovan & Ho’s timely and easy-to-grasp client updates, robust yet practical legal solutions, and their affable professional team of lawyers who understand and seek to address their clients’ needs. Their work is grounded on a strong foundation of the law, with a firm grasp of commercial reality and the empathy of experienced employment lawyers.

S.Y. Lee, Regional Labour Counsel

Donovan & Ho have not only been our legal counsel, but also our trusted partner in navigating complex legal matters in our business, and their dedication to client satisfaction is truly remarkable. Their unique blend of friendliness and professionalism sets them apart from others.

H.K, Manager

Provides clients with practical solutions built on a foundation of strong legal and cultural understanding of the employment landscape in Malaysia.

Chambers Asia Pacific

Excellent. The firm has always provided accurate and helpful legal advice. They are responsive to our needs and a true partner.

Asialaw Profiles

Advice is balanced against commercial considerations, with practical bent… Extremely cooperative, fast response, extra mile intention on getting the client fully knowledgeable of all pros and cons of every single term, patiently. Lastly, eager to help. No weaknesses… Has strong business acumen and industry knowledge. Considerate and fair in judgement… Value for money, great professionalism and good/pleasant user experience…

IFLR1000

(specialising) in employment litigation… the team is winning plaudits from the market for its labour expertise and is quickly climbing the ranks as a go-to firm for these matters.

Benchmark Litigation

Donovan & Ho might be young (launched 2014) and small, but the firm is hard to miss online thanks to its robust social media strategy… And by the looks of it, the approach is working.

Asian Legal Business’ “Firms to Watch”

ARTICLES

Case Spotlight: The Right Witness

Donovan Cheah (Partner), with assistance from Laveeniapal Ganapathy (Legal Executive)In an unfair dismissal claim involving direct dismissal, the burden of proof is on the employer to establish that they had dismissed the employee with just cause and excuse. Having...

Case Spotlight: Precision of Charges in A Show Cause Letter

When drafting a show cause letter, the preciseness and the comprehensiveness of the allegations levelled against an employee is crucial. If there are any gaps in the charges, is the Industrial Court empowered to substitute the charge with its own interpretation? The...

Case Spotlight: Challenging an Industrial Court Award – Judicial Review or Appeal?

Before 1.1.2021, representations for unfair dismissal were referred to the Industrial Court by the Minister of Human Resources (“HR Minister”). Any party wishing to challenge an Industrial Court award had to do so via judicial review. With the Industrial Relations...

Merges & Acquisitions In Malaysia – Purchases of Business Assets May Attract Up To 4% Ad Valorem Stamp Duty

The Federal Court of Malaysia in Havi Logistics (M) Sdn Bhd v. Pemungut Duti Setem [2025] 3 MLRA recently delivered a landmark judgment considering whether fixed or ad valorem stamp duty is payable under the Stamp Act 1949 (“Act”) on an Asset Purchase Agreement...

Show Cause Letter: Is It A Ground for Constructive Dismissal?

A show cause letter is a formal document issued by an employer requesting an employee to explain or justify conduct that may violate company policies or employment terms. It is typically part of an investigation process, giving...

Case Spotlight: Employees’ Right to Festive Payments

Chinese New Year is a time of renewal, gratitude and prosperity. Many companies use this occasion to show appreciation to their employees through festive gestures such as giving red packets (ang pow). However, are employers...

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