OUR STORY

Muhendaran Sri was founded on 14th December 1999, originally under the name Sri & Co. At the heart of our story is Sri—my wife—who was, and always will be, the true founder of the firm. I joined her in January 2001, and being Indian and Tamil, of course my name had to come first. So, Sri & Co. became Muhendaran Sri.

From day one, we began our practice as idealists. We believed—and still believe—that the law should serve people, not profits. That every individual, regardless of their background or means, deserves to be heard and represented. For us, the law has always been a calling: one grounded in integrity, courage, and professionalism.

Here’s a little secret: despite our best efforts, many clients (and strangers) still believe “Sri” is my first name. My wife has long given up explaining that she is the Sri and I’m the Muhendaran—though I suspect every attempt adds to her blood pressure! People still ask for “Mr. Sri, the good-looking Indian man with a thick moustache.” (And yes, the moustache continues to be a fan favourite.)

We’re a boutique law firm with a primary focus on employment law. I typically act for trade unions and employees but also advise employers when called upon. Sri, meanwhile, runs a broad and dynamic practice—commercial law, civil litigation, family law, child law, probate, will writing—and has a particular passion for advising artists on their rights.

Our beginnings were modest. In the early days, it was one lawyer doing everything from pleadings to phone calls. When I joined, we became two lawyers managing everything, from clients to the copier. My father-in-law, Mr. R. Ganapathy, stepped in to help—serving as our receptionist and accounts clerk for over six months.

Our first so-called intern was Sri’s 15-year-old nephew, Pratap—taller than me and full of teenage energy. His main tasks? Chasing cockroaches and answering the phone, always half-hoping it was his mum checking in.

In 2001, when the firm was still in its infancy, we were lucky to have the support of Mr. Subramaniam—affectionately known as “Uncle Maniam”—who generously gave six months of his time as our despatch clerk. Around the same time, “Uncle Chandran,” Mr. K.R. Chandran, helped ensure that our accounts were properly maintained. And then there was Suzi, whose quiet contribution kept the office clean and functioning when we needed it most.

In 2002, we were joined by Hairol, a Malay gentleman who worked with us for a year. He left behind a part of himself in the form of a stunning Ramli Ibrahim-inspired portrait he gifted us. I still see it every day, and every time I do, I remember him. I hope he’s continued to pursue his art and has found his place in that world.

Over the years, we’ve grown steadily—adding legal associates, clerical staff, pupils, and interns and a great deal more grey hair. But we’ve never lost sight of why we began. Each new team member brought new strengths, and we’re proud to have nurtured some truly remarkable individuals – some of whom still proudly call themselves “Muhendaran Sri alumni”.

Pramodini Menon completed her pupillage with us and is now a respected advocate for children and women. Shanmugam Ganesan (now Dato’ Shan) started as a clerk and is now a leading criminal lawyer and partner at M. Thanakumaran & Shan. Jayashree Vengadachalam began as an attachment student and has since flourished in the banking sector. Nyanavalli Bangaru grew from clerk and paralegal into a leader in the intellectual property field.

We also honour the memory of Ms. Jagadisvary Nadarajan, our trusted accounts officer from 2018 to 2021. Jagadisvary was a core member of our team, and her sudden passing in 2021 was a great loss. Her warmth, diligence, and steady presence will never be forgotten.

Today, we are joined by our Principal Associate, Ms. Chong Wan Loo and our Associate, Ms. Eisyarmily Akhtar — both of whom are meticulous, passionate lawyers who believe, as we do, that good lawyering requires both intellect and heart. Wan Loo was the driving force behind launching this website in time for our 20th anniversary in 2019. Before that, our only online presence was our blog, which we’ve proudly run since 2005.

Our current team is further strengthened by our PA, Adrina, who somehow manages all of us with a steady hand and a good dose of humour.

We’ve never followed convention just for the sake of it. We practice law a little differently, and we’re proud of that. That’s why we’ve chosen to work from the Zhongshan Building in Kampung Attap—a creative, community-driven space where the law meets art, and where ideas are free to grow.

Over the past 25 years, we’ve represented a wide spectrum of society—corporations and individuals, ministers and NGOs, trade unions and employers, children and senior citizens, Tan Sris and migrants. Each case matters. Every client deserves clarity, care, and thoughtful strategy.

We know that behind every brief is a human being, and often, a fight for something that truly matters. We are in this fully—because we believe in the role we play. The law can be demanding. Good. We welcome that.

Social justice and sustainability aren’t buzzwords to us—they’re part of our DNA. Whether we’re fighting for employee rights, advocating for child protection, or defending the marginalised, we hold fast to the values enshrined in the Federal Constitution. We work to ensure those rights aren’t just words on paper.

We are bold and practice strategic gameplay in our work—deliberate, prepared, and precise—but we never lose sight of the people at the centre of our work.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who’s been part of our journey—clients, colleagues, team members, friends, and especially our parents. Sri and I would not be where we are without their constant love and support.

Strategy Driven, People Focused.
It’s more than a tagline. It’s how we practice law, and how we live it.
And that’s all I have to say about that.

Go read the blog if you’d like to know more.