Melanie HO

Melanie HO is the Head of the Professional and Enterprise Disputes Practice and a Partner in the International Arbitration Practice. 

Her areas of practice include health sciences and medical law, commercial and fraud disputes and intellectual property. 

Her clients are public-listed and multinational companies and organisations, including major players in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, individual plaintiffs and defendants, as well as statutory boards.

Melanie is the first Singaporean lawyer invited to be appointed on the Appeals Board of the Dubai Healthcare City ("DHCC"), the final appellate authority within DHCC which hears cases on medical and professional misconduct of healthcare professionals. Prior to the appointment, Melanie was involved in the review of the regulations in DHCC, which included Healthcare Operators, Healthcare Professionals and Research Regulations. She provides advisory support to the Singapore Medical Council and the Singapore Dental Council in addition to representing them at disciplinary inquiries. For instance, Melanie advised SMC on amendments to the Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines, which includes amendments to the provision governing the issue of informed consent.

Melanie is lauded as one of the key players for investigations work by the Global Investigations Review 100, a guide to the world's top 100 leading firms for corporate investigations. She is recognised as Litigation Star in Benchmark Litigation: White Collar Crime 2024. She is also a highly regarded legal practitioner in the area of life sciences, having been selected by her peers in Best Lawyers 2017 and 2018 for her work in Litigation and Medical Malpractice Litigation. According to The Legal 500: Asia Pacific – The Client's Guide to the Asia Pacific Legal Profession, “Melanie Ho knows her job well and gives clear and straightforward solutions as well. She is tough but always makes us feel comfortable and safe. After talking to her, you always feel that there is always a solution to your problem in comparison to other lawyers whom I have worked with. Her team is very cooperative. They are very patient and explain everything in detail till you can understand. They work as a team; when one is busy the others will help”.

As part of her pro bono contribution, Melanie has for the last 15 years, sat as the legal adviser to the Adult Protection Team, which was formed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development to provide assistance to vulnerable adults. She also contributes her time and legal expertise to the Girl Guides Singapore.

Melanie graduated from the National University of Singapore and is admitted to the Singapore Bar.