Skrine's employment practice provides a comprehensive range of advisory and contentious services. The team handles all aspects of employment-related matters, including disciplinary actions, performance management, large-scale workforce reductions, and business reorganisations. The practice also represents clients across the full range of employment disputes, including unfair dismissal actions, trade disputes, and high-value civil litigation involving fraud and breaches of confidentiality. The practice is led by Selvamalar Alagaratnam, whose work includes advising on internal fraud management, business and human rights issues, and employee exits. Also in the team is Foo Siew Li, who handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, with expertise in performance management, internal investigations into fraud and sexual harassment, and the social aspect of ESG compliance.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Selvamalar Alagaratnam rocks; her answers come promptly after questions are raised, and she is always pragmatic, circumspect, and thoughtful. She also has a wonderful sense of humour.’
- ‘Skrine’s Labour and Employment team is highly responsive, strategic, and commercially minded. They handle complex and sensitive employment matters—especially those involving public sector or regulatory considerations—with clarity and confidence. Their advice is practical, timely, and consistently aligned with both legal and organisational priorities.’
- ‘We’ve worked closely with Selvamalar Alagaratnam, who demonstrates exceptional professionalism and attention to detail. Selvamalar provides clear strategic direction and their ability to offer tailored, practical solutions makes them a standout team.’
- 'We are very well supported on our cases and inquiries. They understand our business landscape, our considerations and provide relevant and winning solutions.’
- ‘Skrine's labour and employment practice is top in their industry. We experienced being supported by a good composition of partners and associates with significant experience and expertise. Coupled with experience and expertise, the Skrine team understands our considerations and always provides pragmatic and good advice.’
- ‘A one-stop shop for anything that may come up within the traditional labour practice and adjacent—or even far away from it.’
- 'Knowledgeable and able to offer insights and ability to look around corners with the issues beforehand.'
- 'I feel there is a soft yet reliable approach that is provided by the Skrine team. Soft in its understanding of what we need and reliable as the advice and services are sound and ones we feel comfortable relying on.'
Key clients
- Mattel Malaysia Sdn Bhd
- AIA Bhd
- AIA IT (M) Sdn Bhd
- British American Tobacco
- Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pacific
- Solventum
- Resorts World Sentosa
- Sudong Sdn Bhd
- Veolia Water Technologies Malaysia
- Simplot Malaysia Sdn Bhd
- Shiseido Malaysia Sdn Bhd
- Employees Provident Fund
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Selvamalar Alagaratnam
Other key lawyers
Foo Siew Li