The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie recently advised the Bank of Taiwan on a NT$36bn syndicated loan agreement with Wan Bao Development. Other clients include Taiwan Cooperative Bank, Taiwan Broadband Communications and Cathay United Bank. Justin Liang leads the team, which includes Bee Leay Teo, Wayne Yang and Murray Bowler.

William Bryson’s team at Jones Day is praised for its ‘in-depth industry knowledge’ and key strengths in areas such as M&A financing. The team advised Taipei Fubon Bank in a $664m dispute, and Green Energy Technology in relation to a $85m syndicated loan. Bryson does a ‘tremendous job’, and Chung-Ping Lui and Louis Liu are also recommended.

‘Comprehensive legal firm’ Lee and Li advises on the full spectrum of banking and finance work, and in 2010 acted in a number of aircraft financing deals, including advising Crédit Agricole on the financing of a A330-300 aircraft. Robin Chang leads the practice.

Tsar & Tsai Law Firm provides a ‘professional and high level of service’, and acts for clients such as HSBC, Deutsche Bank and GE Capital. It recently assisted Tom Group, China Network Systems and Hanjin Pacific Corporation in concluding numerous syndicated loans totaling over NT$30bn. Jackie Lin and Janice Lin lead the team, and Steven Chen has ‘profound knowledge in corporate and securities law’.

In 2010 Formosa Transnational advised a number of consortia on syndicated loan agreements totalling over NT$20bn. The team also advised on loan agreements, financial leasing and supplier finance programs. Chun-yih Cheng is the leading figure.

LCS & Partners’ team is led by Mark Harty and Grace Ku, and in 2010 advised Chinatrust Commercial Bank on the refinancing of a syndicated loan to GTV Group.

Liang & Partners specialises in the legal and regulatory regimes governing Securities Investment Trust Enterprises, and assists clients such as HSBC Investments and ING Securities in relation to offshore and onshore fund applications.

Lin & Partners regularly serves as legal adviser to various government agencies, and was recently retained by the Financial Supervisory Commission to draft Taiwan’s first Financial Consumer Protection Act. Managing partner George Lin is ‘one of the best legal counsel in Taiwan’s financial industry’.

Russin & Vecchi (International Legal Counsellors)’ banking, finance and securities team advises corporations, financial institutions and international banks on local law issues.

Yangming Partners’ banking team is led by Mark Ohlson, and advises on cross-border security interests and joint ventures with Taiwan banks. It also assists financial institutions in launching new financial products into the marketplace.

Alliance International Law Offices advises domestic and international clients. Shin-Shing Lee and David Lu are the key contacts.

Peter Chen leads the banking and project finance team at Formosan Brothers Attorneys at Law, and recently advised a construction company on financing for the Taipei 101construction project, and a film producer on the financing of a new film.

Huang & Partners’ banking and projects finance team advises banks and other financial institutions on matters including refinancing, debt recovery and loan and security documentation.

K&L Gates’ securities and funds practices assists domestic and international banks, asset managers, and other financial institutions in establishing funds, and advises on securities and regulatory issues.

Pamir Law Group’s practice primarily deals with the collection of debt and the rescheduling of loans. It also assists with the interpretation of Taiwanese banking laws and regulations.

Banking and finance is a core area for PricewaterhouseCoopers Taiwan; the team advises on financial institutions M&A, regulatory compliance and syndicated loan agreements.