The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Capital markets, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie advises clients such as Goldman Sachs (Asia) and Barclays Capital. It recently advised on a Cayman-incorporated company’s application for an IPO on the Taiwan Stock Exchange Market at a provisional value of NT$48bn. Stacey Lee and Wen-Yen Kang head the team, with Alex Chiang also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s team recently represented Morgan Stanley as the financial adviser to both Polaris on its NT$48.9bn share acquisition by Yuanta and Taiwan International Securities Corporation regarding the sale of its shares. Michael Wong leads the team, which includes Wen-Yen Kang and Kevin Wang.

Within Dispute resolution, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s practice is led by David Liou. It recently advised Bombardier Transportation Signal in a construction dispute, and Chung Hwa Telecom in a civil and criminal copyright infringement dispute with BroadVision. Sean Lien and Oracle America are also clients. Key partners include Remington Huang, Seraphim Mar and Joseph Fu.

Within Employment, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Seraphim Mar leads the practice at Baker & McKenzie, which advises clients such as Cosmos Bank and Bayer Taiwan on both contentious and non-contentious issues. It recently advised Motorola on the transfer of employees after the sale of a business line to Nokia Siemens Networks.

Within Insurance, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Tiffany Huang’s team at Baker & McKenzie recently advised Maeda Corporation in a dispute with Kaohsiung Rapid Transit, involving claims for compensation for accidents and escalation claims, and also represented the client in an arbitration claim for insurance indemnification against nine co-insurers. The team also advised Ruen Chen on its $2.16bn acquisition of Nan Shan from AIG.

Within Intellectual property, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s strong IP practice is jointly led by the ‘sensible and responsive’ Grace Shao (patents) and Joy Pan (trade marks). In 2010 the team advised Eli Lilly in patent infringement actions against three generic drug companies, and successfully defended domestic drug company Genovate in its defence against a patent infringement claim and its bid for compensation. Other clients include Unilever, Beauty Bank and K-Swiss.

Within Legal market overview,

Taiwan’s key players remain Lee and Li, Baker & McKenzie, Jones Day, and Tsar & Tsai Law Firm. Lin & Partners enters a number of rankings for the first time, including capital markets and corporate and M&A.

Within Projects and energy, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s projects practice is led by Tiffany Huang. In 2010 it advised Ever Power on a 15-year full operation and maintenance agreement with Alstom Power, and also advised Peabody Energy on its coal supply tendering and contract review.

Within Real estate and construction, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s team is jointly led by David Liou and Remington Huang. It recently advised Asia Pacific Land on the acquisition of a NT$3bn commercial building in Taipei, and Far Eastern Department Stores on the sale and leaseback of a store in Hsin Chui City.

Within Shipping, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s maritime and aviation team is led by Sonya Hsu. It recently advised Eastern Multimedia International on numerous maritime matters, including charterparty disputes and contractual issues relating to its Bareboat charterparty.

Within TMT, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie recently advised HTC on its acquisition of mobile system interface company ABAXIA, and its acquisition of a majority stake in the assets of BLRSoft. Other clients include Media Tek, Skype Communications and Want Want. Stacey Lee leads the team, which includes Stephen Tan.

Within Tax, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie regularly advises clients on the tax issues arising from M&A transactions, including advising EQT on a NT$6bn transaction, and also advises on applications for tax exemptions. Michael Wong’s team recently represented an electronics company in a tax dispute.