The Legal 500

Michael Wong and Kevin Wang co-head ‘afirst-class outfit’ at Baker & McKenzie, assisted by the ‘very insightful’ Henry Chang and the up-and-coming Enzo Pan, who is ‘sound and responsive’. Despite limited transactional activity in the Taiwanese market during the last 12 months, the team had a hand in landmark deals such as the $2.4bn acquisition of CNS cable TV by Want-Want.

Jack Huang’s team at Jones Day is a leading choice for local companies investing overseas, thanks in part to the firm’s worldwide presence and global approach. Huang, Tommy Chen and John Lin advised Micron Technology on its $168m investment in Inotera Memories; and Sino-American Silicon Products on its acquisition of Covalent Materials’ silicon-wafer business for $344m, among other deals.

LCS & Partners is particularly well known for its expertise in sophisticated M&A deals, and fields premier transactional experts such as team heads Rich Lin and Victor Chang, as well as newly promoted partner Tom Hsieh. In a recent highlight, the team advised Royal DSM on its acquisition of a 51% stake in AGI Corporation. The team is also noted for representing major foreign companies on their IPOs in Taiwan.

Sherry Lin and Ken-Ying Tseng co-head the team at Lee and Li, which attracts high praise from clients, and has ‘a keen awareness of business needs’. Work highlights in 2011 included advising AIG on the $2.16bn sale of 97.57% of its shares in Nan Shan Life Insurance to Ruen Chen Investment. Also recommended are Sophia Yeh, James Chen, Chao-Tung Chang, and ‘phenomenal lawyer’ Robin Chang.

Tsar & Tsai Law Firm recently advised Yuanta Financial on its NT$48.8bn acquisition of Polaris Securities; and Chinatrust Financial on its $180m acquisition of MetLife Taiwan Insurance Company. Jackie Lin and Janice Lin co-lead the team.

Formosa Transnational works predominantly with foreign clients and has a fine record in advising Japanese, US and Chinese companies investing in Taiwan. Delphine Chen recently assisted a US global telecoms corporation with its acquisition of a Taiwanese display company. Yulan Kuo and Chun-yih Cheng are also recommended.

Formosan Brothers Attorneys at Law is renowned for its expertise in defending clients subject to hostile takeovers, and also regularly advises on corporate restructurings and cross-border acquisitions. The team recently assisted a local optical media manufacturer on the sale of its US-based assets and business to a Hong Kong-based company. LiPu Lee is the key contact.

In 2012, K&L Gates strengthened its corporate offering with the recruitment of Paul Cassingham as senior legal consultant from Yangming Partners. Jacqueline Fu and James Chen lead the team, which has substantial experience in cross-border M&A transactions.

At Lee, Tsai & Partners, Jaclyn Tsai assisted technology investment company GSIF Corporation on its acquisition of shares in a number of portfolio companies, while Maxine Chiang advised STAR Technology on an acquisition of shares in a US company.

Liang & Partners has an excellent record in advising international clients such as Commerz Bank, ING and Wells Fargo on their investments in local securities investment trust enterprises (SITEs).

Eric Tsai and Ross Yang are the key practitioners at PricewaterhouseCoopers Taiwan, which is active in M&A and investment transactions as well as in corporate restructuring work.

James Lin’s Hong Kong-based team at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP assists both international and local clients, particularly on Taiwan-related mergers and acquisitions and private equity matters.

John Eastwood’s team at Eiger Law wins a steady flow of instructions from European and global companies and law firms; it recently assisted Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Latham & Watkins on merger-control matters.

Huang & Partners is a domestic firm with strong local connections and an impressive record on M&A transactions.

JTJB Taipei undertakes M&A transactions across a broad range of industries. The team also acts on general corporate matters, and can draw on the firm’s tax and competition practices to provide clients with a comprehensive service.

Lin & Partners’ George Lin recently advised PacMos Technologies Holdings on its $3.3m acquisition by On-Bright Electronic, a Chinese-invested, Cayman-based manufacturer of power controllers.

Pamir Law Group’s practice is principally focused on inbound deals into China and Taiwan, but also attracts PRC clients investing offshore. With the departure of Michael Lee for an in-house position, Nicholas Chen is now the key contact.

Russin & Vecchi (International Legal Counsellors) has an active corporate and M&A practice led by Thomas McGowan and T.Y. Lee. The firm’s strong reputation in banking and finance makes it a leading choice for many domestic and international financial entities engaged in corporate transactional matters.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP’s Hong Kong team advises clients on cross-border M&A and private investment transactions in Taiwan. Michael DeSombre and Gwen Wong are leading practitioners.

Winkler Partners specialises in assisting multinationals on Taiwanese inbound investments and operational matters. Recent work highlights include advising an international telecoms group on its acquisition of a Taiwanese telecoms services provider. Chen Hui-ling leads the team.

Yangming Partners’ corporate and M&A practice is led by the highly regarded Fran Wang, and Mark Ohlson is also recommended. The team lost Paul Cassingham, who left for K&L Gates in 2012.