Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership > KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia > Firm Profile
Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership Offices
UNIT A1-12-01, ARCORIS MONT KIARA
JALAN KIARA
MONT KIARA
50480
Malaysia
Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership > The Legal 500 Rankings
Malaysia > Dispute resolution Tier 3
The disputes team at Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership handles litigation and arbitration relating to a diverse array of matters including complex infrastructure project disputes, tax and revenue cases, and public utilities matters. Steven Thiruneelakandan, a seasoned litigator with demonstrable experience in employment and industrial relations disputes, leads the practice alongside Sudhar Thillainathan, who specialises in civil litigation and commercial arbitration. The firm counts state-owned entities, insurance companies, banking institutions, and blue-chip corporations among its key roster of clients.Practice head(s):
Steven Thiruneelakandan; Sudhar Thillainathan
Other key lawyers:
David Dinesh Mathew; David Ng Yew Kiat
Testimonials
‘Sudhar Thillainathan is truly exceptional. He is extremely knowledgeable and provides very helpful commercial legal advice.’
‘Close knit team led by experienced counsel. Hard working and willing to take the time to understand the client’s case and provide a range of options.’
‘Sudhar Thillainathan is a tiger during cross examination.’
‘The team is very detailed oriented, and I enjoyed all the robust discussions and brainstorming sessions. The Senior Partner is also very hands on and participates in all the important sessions.’
‘Sudhar Thillainathan is very experienced and always a valued add to any legal team. He is meticulous without being bogged down with processes and red tape. Always willing to listen to counter points and opposing views and skilful in managing critical discourses.’
‘We engaged Sudhar Thillainathan and his team for an expert opinion on Malaysian Law in an arbitration. They work well and quickly. It was a pleasure working with them.’
‘Steven Thiruneelakandan and Sudhar Thillainathan are exceptional lawyers. Very experienced litigators. Strong advocates. Both have been involved in a wide range of disputes at all levels. Super smart, responsive, excellent strategists, thoughtful and hard working.’
‘The team is very tenacious and will leave no stone unturned, studying each brief from multiple angles with research, before charting the way forward. The team is also very generous with their availability to be consulted on ancillary matters.’
Key clients
City Properties Sdn Bhd
Tenaga Nasional Berhad
Tai Weng Construction & Engineering Sdn Bhd
Malaysian Institute of Accountants
Malayan Banking Berhad
Perbadanan Pengurusan SOHO
KSK Group Berhad
Great Eastern General Insurance (Malaysia) Berhad
Damai City Sdn Bhd
Work highlights
- Acted as counsel for City Properties and its two directors at the Federal Court in a claim for alleged breach of statutory duty.
- Acted as counsel for Tenaga Nasional Berhad at the Court of Appeal in a claim for damages of RM8,183,500 brought by a consumer.
- Representing the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and two related defendants in defending a civil suit at the High Court.
Malaysia > Labour and employment Tier 3
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.Practice head(s):
Janice Anne Leo; Steven Thiruneelakandan
Other key lawyers:
David Ng Yew Kiat; Adrienne Sena; Ilyssa Jace Chakrabarty
Testimonials
‘The team understands the nature of our business, as well as its complexity. Therefore, the advice, recommendations or views given are more appropriate and relevant, taking into consideration all aspects of the business.’
‘Ilyssa Jace was very helpful and competent. She asked the right questions and managed the documents accordingly for the court and trials.’
‘STSP is without a doubt among the top employment and industrial relations law firms in Malaysia. The team is highly skilled with a strong depth of knowledge and experience in labour and employment law.’
‘The team is well-versed in the law and pleasant to work with. They are always pragmatic and solution-oriented with a lot of understanding for clients’ concerns.’
‘The team gives practical advice on complicated issues. Overall, it is prompt, responsive and able to deliver good quality work in a timely fashion.’
‘Steven Thiruneelakandan is our trusted legal adviser – sharp and strategic, a brilliant lawyer.’
‘Janice Anne Leo is always available, very knowledgeable and finds pragmatic solutions.’
Key clients
Achi Jaya Plantations Sdn Bhd
Bank Negara Malaysia
Agarcorp Sdn Bhd
Maxis Berhad
Sapura Secured Technologies Sdn Bhd
Weatherford (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Sapura Thales Electronics Sdn Bhd
Tenaga Nasional Berhad
Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd
Agrifood Resources Holdings Sdn Bhd
Affin Bank Berhad
Malayan Banking Berhad
British International School Kuala Lumpur
Dagang NeXchange Berhad
WWF Malaysia
British American Tobacco
Work highlights
- Represented Agarcorp Sdn Bhd in an unfair dismissal representation at the Kuala Lumpur Industrial Court.
- Represents Affin Bank Berhad in an unfair dismissal representation at the Kuala Lumpur Industrial Court.
- Represents British American Tobacco in an unfair dismissal claim filed by an employee who was retrenched from the Company.
Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership > Firm Profile
Established in May 2018, Messrs Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership is a young firm that is not short on experience. The two Senior Partners are well known in the legal profession. Steven Thiru was the 31st President of the Malaysian Bar and T. Sudhar was a former President of the Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators.
The firm can lay claim to a solid pedigree in terms of the range and breadth of work, experience and track-record in litigation matters . The firm prides itself on its ability to represent clients at all levels of the courts including providing advisory / pre-trial advice and conducting trials and appeals in a range of litigation and dispute resolution work.
Over a short time the firm has gained a formidable reputation for its advisory, litigation and arbitration work in the main in general litigation , competition and anti-trust, digital and data protection law, employment law, human rights and public law, judicial review, land acquisition and reference , regulatory /compliance , tax and revenue matters. The firm is based in Kuala Lumpur but undertakes work nationwide and is able to handle cross-border work as well.
Litigation and dispute resolution highlights to date include:
- Successfully dismissing a Plaintiff / Main Contractor’s Originating Summons for interim measures against the Defendant / Employer pending arbitration in respect of construction assets on Site consequential to the termination of a construction contract. The value of the entire project is estimated to be in the region of RM5.4 billion.
- Representing the major transport system developer in a RM300 million claim for breach of contract/ misrepresentation and negligence.
- Successfully defending the public utilities electricity supply vendor in a claim for wrongful termination of supply against a counterclaim of RM99 million.
- Representing a government-owned water asset management corporation in an arbitration matter involving the development of a water treatment plant and water reticulation system. The RM993.8 million dispute is the first of its kind to be heard in Malaysia.
- Representing the Malaysian Institute of Accountants in the first completed disciplinary proceedings involving the auditors of 1MDB.
- Successfully obtaining judgement against an employee for tort of conversion and dishonest assistance for the sum of US$5,361,200 (RM21 million).
The firm also boasts a solid track record in employment and industrial relations. It’s expertise includes consultation on employment terms and conditions, employee misconduct, retrenchment and all aspects of employment and industrial relations including representing clients in employment disputes.
Highlights of the employment and industrial relations section:
- Defending the decision by a client to dismiss an employee who had been accused in the media of sexual grooming and being a sexual predator
- Providing advice to a major transportation company on acts of insubordination and for a breach of fiduciary duties owed by employees to its employer, and the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against senior employees
- Establishing the principle that failure to furnish an employee facing disciplinary proceedings with all relevant and material evidence amounts to a fundamental breach of procedural fairness and natural justice.
- Advising and representing an employer in a suit brought by an employee who was dismissed for participation in political activities contrary to the employer’s Code of Ethics.
- Advising an international school on steps to manage a senior employee experiencing mental health issues, and the proper procedures to medically board out the employee, if necessary.
- Assisting both local and international corporations realign their manpower and human resource capacities in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic in compliance with labour and employment law and regulations.
Steven Thiru sums up the firm’s philosophy, “We subscribe to time-tested values, these include a commitment to professionalism and mutual respect. When it comes to representing our clients, we will leave no stone unturned. We are relentless in pursuit of our client’s interests and bring the best of our knowledge and experience to every matter we handle.”
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MANAGING PARTNER | Steven Thiruneelakandan | steventhiru@stsp.my | +60123158395 |
| SENIOR PARTNER | Sudharsanan Thillainathan | sudhar@stsp.my | +60122930795 |
| Appellate Matters & Judicial Reviews | Steven Thiruneelakandan | steventhiru@stsp.my | +60123158395 |
| Arbitration and Alternate Dispute Resolution | Sudharsanan Thillainathan | sudhar@stsp.my | +60122930795 |
| Competition & Anti Trust | Sudharsanan Thillainathan | sudhar@stsp.my | +60122930795 |
| Data Protection and Security | David Matthew | davidmathew@stsp.my | +60122603337 |
| Employment, Labour and Industrial Relations | Janice Ann Leo | janiceanne@stsp.my | +60193304625 |
| General Litigation | Steven Thiruneelakandan | steventhiru@stsp.my | +60123158395 |
| Land and Real Estate including Land Acquisitions | Steven Thiruneelakandan | steventhiru@stsp.my | +60123158395 |
| Public Law and Human Rights | Steven Thiruneelakandan | steventhiru@stsp.my | +60123158395 |
| Tax and Revenue Disputes | Tania Kat-Lin Edward | taniaedward@stsp.my | +60123371540 |
| Regulatory and Compliance | Sudharsanan Thillainathan | sudhar@stsp.my | +60122930795 |
| Tax and Revenue Disputes | Sudharsanan Thillainathan | sudhar@stsp.my | +60122930795 |
| Arbitration and Alternate Dispute Resolution | Dawn Wong Keng Jade | dawn.wong@stsp.my | +60123919193 |
| Administrative, Company, Constitutional, General and Civil Litigation (including contractual disputes, land disputes and trust related matters), Industrial Relations, Land Acquisition | David Ng Yew Kiat | davidng@stsp.my | +60173375898 |
| Civil and General Litigation (including contractual disputes, negligence cases, statutory claims and land disputes); Administrative Law; Employment Law | Hadi Mukhlis Khairulmaini | hadimukhlis@stsp.my | +0122232104 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mr Gregory Das | Partner Practise Areas: General Litigation (including appellate matters and judicial reviews) Public… | View Profile |
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Ms Tania Kat-Lin Edward | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Hadi Mukhlis Khairulmani | Partner Areas of Practice: General Litigation (including appellate matters and judicial reviews)… | View Profile |
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Ms Janice Anne Leo | Partner Practise Areas: Employment, Labour and Industrial Relations | View Profile |
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Mr David Mathew | Partner Practise Areas: General Litigation Corporate & Securities Litigation Public Interest Law,… | View Profile |
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Mr David Yew Kiat Ng | Partner Practise Areas: Employment Law & Industrial Relations Real Estate & Property | View Profile |
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Mr Sudhar Thillainathan | Senior Partner Practice Area: Dispute Resolution (including arbitration, anti-competition and tax and revenue… | View Profile |
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Mr Steven Thiruneelakandan | Managing Partner Practise Areas: General Litigation (including appellate matters and judicial reviews)… | View Profile |
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Miss Dawn Wong Keng Jade | Position: Partner Practice Areas: General Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Corporate & Securities… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
SENIOR MANAGEMENT : 2 PARTNERS : 8 SENIOR ASSOCIATES : 2 ASSOCIATES : 8Languages
English (fluent) Bahasa Malaysia Chinese (Mandarin and dialects)Memberships
Member of Chambers Asia-PacificClient Testimonials
CLIENT: Jennifer Chong
COMPANY/FIRM: Former General Counsel, KSK Group Berhad
TESTIMONIAL: My experience with Sudharsanan Thillainathan and Dawn Wong of Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership was excellent through and through. They were professional, strategic and calm in the turmoil we were going through. It was a complicated case. They know their craft and walked the extra mile for us. I also appreciated working with people that care for you on a personal level instead of just handling you as a “case“. I would highly recommend them – you are in good hands.
CLIENT: Richard Soo
COMPANY/FIRM: Director of Projects, KSK Land Sdn Bhd
TESTIMONIAL: The STSP Construction team (in particular, Sudharsanan Thillainathan and Dawn Wong) combines strong legal knowledge with sound commercial acumen. They take a proactive approach to finding solutions and are fully committed to achieving the best possible outcome for the client. They are superb at delivering under pressure and punch well above their weight.
CLIENT: Multiple but P&C
COMPANY/FIRM: Moore Advent Tax Consultants Sdn Bhd
TESTIMONIAL: Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership [“STSP”] assisted our mutual clients with various complex Malaysian tax law disputes with the tax authorities and opinion in tax legislation interpretations. STSP’s consistently good technical knowledge, interpersonal skill, and highest standards of work ethics and professionalism are the key factors which drove us to work closely with them for our clients’ tax affairs. The team of advocates in STSP (Mr Sudharsanan Thilainathan and Ms Tania Edward in particular) are really committed, engaging full time with the clients and us to ensure that the case is presented well. Besides, STSP has broad experience in other civil litigations matters which make the firm a much preferred choice for dispute related matters.
CLIENT: Datin Yam & Grace
COMPANY/FIRM: LBCN Development Sdn Bhd
TESTIMONIAL: Our firm’s legal cases have been well taken care of by Messrs Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership since 2018 and we have full confident that the firm will continue to do so in protecting our interest as well as doing their very best to win the cases/suits for us. All the partners and staffs who handle our cases are very well trained and professional. They are very friendly which resulted in a good client relationship which are very important and crucial for court proceedings as the flow of ideas and discussions will accumulated into good defence for the cases. Most importantly, the lawyers put in their greatest effort in understanding the case and come up with a good case structure to help the client to win the legal suit. Besides, they are also very willing to provide their advice & extend their assistance without hesitation in other matter as well.
CLIENT: Austin Powder Asia Pacific
TESTIMONIAL: Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership (STSP) has been supporting Austin in a litigation suit in Malaysia for the past three years. The case has been complex, and we have found the team to be insightful, diligent and strategic in their approach. In particular, they have worked very well with us as International (American) clients. We have collaborated well with the STSP team in working through the complexities of the case and have come to trust their insights and perspectives. We strongly endorse the STSP team.
CLIENT: Austin Powder Asia Pacific Inc.
TESTIMONIAL: We have used Messrs Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership as our litigation counsel in Malaysia to resolve significant disputes involving substantial sums. Sudhar and his team have been unwaveringly responsive, candid, and efficient in ensuring that we are appropriately represented. We always appreciate when our counsel advocates vigorously on our behalf, but this has to be balanced with counsel that is willing to provide objective and timely advice on the challenges associated with the matters at hand. Sudhar has been an effective advocate in this regard and we look forward to continuing our relationship.
CLIENT: Chua Guan-Hock
COMPANY/FIRM: Des Voeux Chambers
TESTIMONIAL: STST’s Tax Team brings a high level of dedication, professionalism, and legal expertise to the table. They are pragmatic, highly efficient and effective in their approach to problem-solving. Tania Edward as Partner is enthusiastic and always goes the extra mile for clients.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Datin Yam & Grace
COMPANY/FIRM: LBCN Development Sdn Bhd
TESTIMONIAL: Our firm’s legal cases have been well taken care of by Messrs Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership since 2018 and we have full confident that the firm will continue to do so in protecting our interest as well as doing their very best to win the cases/suits for us. All the partners and staffs who handle our cases are very well trained and professional. They are very friendly which resulted in a good client relationship which are very important and crucial for court proceedings as the flow of ideas and discussions will accumulated into good defence for the cases. Most importantly, the lawyers put in their greatest effort in understanding the case and come up with a good case structure to help the client to win the legal suit. Besides, they are also very willing to provide their advice & extend their assistance without hesitation in other matter as well.
Press Releases
Firm and Firm’s Managing Partner Recognised in The Legal 500 (Asia-Pacific) Rankings for 2024
20th February 2024We are pleased to share that our Firm has been recognised by The Legal 500 in its Asia-Pacific rankings for 2024. Notably, our Dispute Resolution and Labour & Employment practice areas achieved commendable Tier 3 rankings.
Firm’s Partner Elected as Deputy President of The Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators
20th February 2024 We are pleased to announce that our Partner, Dawn Wong, has been elected as the Deputy President of The Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators for the 2023 - 2025 term at the 31st Annual General Meeting held on 10 August 2023.Promotions to Senior Associate
20th February 2024 We are pleased to announce that Adrienne Sena and Ng Yee Lin have been promoted as Senior Associates, effective 1 November 2023.Firm and Firm’s Partners Ranked in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific Guide 2024
20th February 2024 We are pleased to share that our Firm and Partners have been ranked in the Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific Guide for yet another year.Firm’s Senior Partner Recognised as Malaysian Arbitration Lawyer of the Year 2023
20th February 2024 We are delighted to share that our Senior Partner, Mr. Sudhar Thillainathan, was recognised as the Malaysian Arbitration Lawyer of the Year 2023 in the Lawyer Monthly – ADR Awards 2023.Dato’ Sreesanthan Eliathamby Joins Steven Thiru and Sudhar Partnership as Consultant
20th February 2024 The Partners of Steven Thiru and Sudhar Partnership (STSP) are pleased to announce that Dato’ Sreesanthan Eliathamby has joined the firm as a Consultant with effect from 2nd January 2024.Admission as Partner: Tania Kat-Lin Edward
5th July 2022 Messrs Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership is pleased to announce that Ms Tania Kat-Lin Edward is admitted as a Partner of the Firm with effect from 1st July 2022.FEDERAL COURT OF MALAYSIA DECIDES ON THE AVAILABILITY OF JUDICIAL REVIEW TO CHALLENGE THE IMPOSITION OF RATES UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1976
30th March 2022 The Federal Court in the recent case of Majlis Daerah Segamat v. Tenaga Nasional Berhad decided that the imposition of rates by a local authority under the Local Government Act 1976 (“LGA”) can be challenged by judicial review in circumstances where the objection to the imposition of rates does not fall under Section 142 LGA. This is despite the appeal procedure to the High Court provided under Section 145 LGA.HIGH COURT AWARDED RM200,000.00 IN GENERAL DAMAGES AGAINST DEFENDANT AS A RESULT OF DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS PUBLISHED ON FACEBOOK
23rd March 2022- On 10th March 2022, the High Court allowed an appeal filed by a public utility against the decision of the Deputy Registrar which awarded RM60,000.00 in general damages against the Defendant in respect of defamatory postings published on his Facebook page.
- Dispute resolution
- Labour and employment