Baker McKenzie’s M&A practice plays a leading role in the Asia-Pacific corporate space, with a sizeable and experienced team handling complex transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, reorganisations, and spin-offs, often from beginning to end. The highly experienced Kevin Wang, a member of the firm’s Asia-Pacific Regional Corporate/M&A steering committee, jointly leads the team alongside Hao-Ray Hu, who specialises in cross-border listings and M&A deals. Gwyneth Gu, with expertise in both inbound and outbound cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, plays a key role in the team. Associate partner Julia King has recently acted on several major transactions, while Mark Tu also handles cross-border M&A and private equity matters.
Corporate and M&A in Taiwan
Baker McKenzie
Practice head(s):
Kevin Wang; Hao-Ray Hu
Other key lawyers:
Gwyneth Gu; Julia King; Jun Chen; Mark Tu
Testimonials
‘Gwyneth Gu and Jun Chen demonstrate professional expertise and diligence as well as great passion and integrity.’
‘The team is experienced in multinational M&A cases, from signing through to closing. The members have excellent negotiation/communication skills, allowing them to deal with counterparties and liaison with their colleagues from different jurisdictions to the benefit of clients.’
Key clients
Auchan Retail International
BizLink Holding Inc.
Applied Materials, Inc.
Aztiq Fund
ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.
Hydron International Co., Ltd.
Yageo Corporation
DBS Bank Taiwan
Panjit International Inc.
Skywatch Innovation Incorporation
Everlink Overseas Inc.
Work highlights
- Acted as the Taiwan legal counsel to Yageo Corporation, an electronic component manufacturing firm offering 63,400,000 common shares, in reliance of Rule 144A and Regulation S, to sponsor the issuance of 12,680,000 global depositary shares worth US$649.85 million on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
Jones Day
Jones Day has a strong reputation for handling cross-border matters for multinationals and mid-market domestic companies in key economic sectors, including tech, energy, semiconductors, financial services, and telecoms. The practice, led by Tommy Chen
, John Lin, and Jean Kuo, specialises in closing complex multi-jurisdictional and public M&A, managing corporate governance issues, and advising in relation to hostile takeovers. Associates Peggy Lee and Jeffrey Wang play key roles in the department and have both recently acted in connection with cross-border acquisitions for major clients.
Practice head(s):
Tommy Chen; John Lin; Jean Kuo
Other key lawyers:
Jeffrey Wang; Peggy Lee; Raymond Wang
Key clients
Albaugh, LLC
Yulon Group
Taiwan Cement Corporation
Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Universal Vision Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Dyaco International Inc.
Gigamedia Ltd.
VIA Technologies, Inc.
Yeong Chin Machinery Industries Co., Ltd.
K&L Gates
K&L Gates advises a wide variety of clients, from start-ups to state-owned enterprises on local and cross-border corporate transactions, including in the energy, healthcare, manufacturing, pharma, and tech sectors. With extensive experience handling international matters, often in highly technical industries, managing partner Jacqueline Fu leads the practice. She has recently assisted a Taiwanese medical products manufacturer in connection with the spinning off and equity financing of one of its products. James Chen has recently advised a technology company in relation to a $3.8 billion cross-border take-private acquisition. Billy Chen is well known for representing start-ups in the fintech and artificial intelligence sectors as well as companies operating in the renewable energy space.
Practice head(s):
Jacqueline Fu
Other key lawyers:
Billy Chen; James Chen
Testimonials
‘Billy Chen has good communication skills and is a problem-solver.’
‘This team is used to acting for foreign-controlled companies. The lawyers there are able to communicate clearly in English as well as negotiate in Chinese.’
Key clients
Acepodia, Inc.
ACT Genomics Holdings Company Limited
Cloud Mile Inc.
Gorilla Technology Group Inc.
Kneron Holding Corporation
Lightsource bp
NEFIN
Northville Limited
Shan-Loong Transportation Co., Ltd.
Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
Taiwan Liposome Company Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Silicon Motion Technology Corporation on entering into a US$3.8 billion cross-border take-private acquisition with MaxLinear, Inc.
- Represented Gorilla Technology Group Inc in relation to its merger with Global SPAC Partners Co., and Gorilla Merger Sub, Inc.
- Advised TLC in relation to its go-private transaction with Woods Investment Co., Ltd. by means of stock swap, and its subsequent restructuring into a Cayman holding company.
LCS & Partners
LCS & Partners's team, led by Victor Chang and Rich Lin, represents major domestic and international clients in relation to a variety of matters, including venture capital and private equity transactions. The team has considerable expertise handling matters in the tech and pharma/life sciences sectors, and recently advised a pharma company in connection with all aspects of its acquisition of another company, including due diligence, deal negotiation and closing. Chang, also licensed to practice in Massachusetts, specialises in fund formation and cross-border transactions in the Greater China region, particularly in the medtech, healthcare, and artificial intelligence sectors, among others.
Practice head(s):
Rich Lin; Victor Chang
Lee and Li, Attorneys-at-Law
Lee and Li, Attorneys-at-Law, led by Eddie Chan and Patricia Lin in Taipei, works closely with the firm’s other departments to offer clients a comprehensive service in relation to a wide range of M&A-related matters, including mergers, spin-offs, share exchanges, asset and share acquisitions, and group restructurings, among other issues. Chan has experience handling corporate matters in the media, telecoms, renewable energy, healthcare, and tech sectors. Former practice head Ken-Ying Tseng has cross-border M&A expertise, while Chao-Tung Chang has recently acted on several divestment and merger cases.
Practice head(s):
Eddie Chan; Patricia Lin
Other key lawyers:
Chao-Tung Chang; Ken-Ying Tsen
Testimonials
2024 – some good work but only five matters – not on level of other tier 1 firms in my view – demoted to tier 2
Key clients
Provident Acquisition Corp.
Sensata Technologies, B.V.
Unique Logistics Holdings Ltd.
Jih Sun International Leasing & Finance Co., Ltd.
Lin & Partners Attorneys-At-Law
Lin & Partners Attorneys-At-Law, jointly led by managing partner George Lin and chief operating officer Kaiju Lee, advises both local and international clients, with a particularly strong reputation for representing startups. Lin specialises in structuring and restructuring complex on- and offshore corporate entities and has recently helped the firm extend its corporate practice into the renewable energy and fintech sectors. Of late Lee has advised local and international clients on corporate acquisition and business transfer transactions.
Practice head(s):
George Lin; Kaiju Lee
Testimonials
‘The team is very commercial minded and sensible.’
‘Team is very responsive and gives great commercial advice.’
‘L&P is always creative and doesn’t just tell us what the laws say, but offers practical solutions that accommodate our business needs.’
Key clients
Taoyuan Metro Corporation
Taiwan Railways Administration
Asia Pacific Telecom Co
Work highlights
- Represented Taiwan Railways Administration in relation to its transformation from a government agency into a fully separate State Owned Enterprise.
- Represented Asia Pacific Telecom in litigation proceedings relating to its merger with Far East Tone for NT$24.7 billion.
- Advised Taoyuan Metro Corporation in relation to its legal affairs.
Tsar & Tsai Law Firm
Tsar & Tsai Law Firm’s corporate practice, led by Jackie Lin, has a strong reputation in Taiwan for representing financial institutions, private equity funds, listed companies, and infrastructure funds, among other entities, in large-scale M&A. Lin has extensive experience advising major domestic and international corporate clients, private equity funds and institutional investors in relation to mergers in a wide variety of industries. Yvonne Liu handles public and private M&A deals for tech, biotech, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy companies, among others, and specialises in tender offers, share swaps, and joint ventures. Lynn Lin offers cross-border M&A expertise, including in relation to renewable energy projects.
Practice head(s):
Jackie Lin
Other key lawyers:
Lynn Lin; Yvonne Liu
Key clients
Citibank Taiwan
Nippon Steel Corporation
ARCHROMA Singapore, PTE.LTD
ASM International N.V.
Itochu Corporation
Hoya Corporation
BOE
ALGOLTEK, INC.
Dentons
Dentons’ corporate practice, led by James Hsiao, cooperates closely with the firm’s other offices in the region and globally to assist clients in relation to inbound and outbound cross-border mergers as well as public company acquisitions, asset transfers, and corporate restructurings, among other areas. The team counts major private equity funds and investment banks as long-term clients. Chengkai Wang has experience advising clients in the tech and financial services sectors.
Practice head(s):
James Hsiao
Other key lawyers:
Chengkai Wang
Testimonials
‘Chengkai Wang provides clear, professional and pragmatic advice.’
‘James Hsiao is professional and offers commercial solutions.’
‘James Hsiao is excellent. He combines strong legal expertise with a deep understanding of commercial needs, which allows him to provide innovative and effective solutions to complex legal issues. James is proactive in identifying potential legal risks early in the transaction process and is also a skilled negotiator.’
Key clients
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia
AcBel Polytech Inc.
Ally Logistic Property
Rotam Global AgroSciences Limited
Platinum Equity
Roku Holdings, Inc. / Purple Tag (Taiwan) Ltd
Believe International / Believe Taiwan, Inc.
SEKO Logistics / SEKO Logistics (HK) Limited Taiwan Branch
Sonos, Inc.
Solera
New Economic Ventures
Work highlights
- Advised Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia in relation to the acquisition and privatisation of Taisun Int’l (Holding) Corp.
- Advised Acbel Polytech Inc. as its Taiwan counsel in relation to its acquisition of ABB Power Conversion.
- Advised Platinum Equity as its Taiwan counsel in relation to its acquisition of the HTS business and assets of Imerys S.A.
DTT Attorneys-At-Law
A part of Deloitte’s global legal network, DTT Attorneys-At-Law’s corporate department boasts considerable combined experience advising both public and private companies in relation to inbound and outbound investment, joint ventures, and M&A. Ingrid Chen handles investments, M&A, and restructurings for local and overseas companies. With experience in the renewable energy, biotechnology, media, logistics, and manufacturing sectors, Kaohsiung-based associate Show Chen plays a key role in the team.
Practice head(s):
Ingrid Chen
Other key lawyers:
Show Chen
Testimonials
‘The team offers local expertise as well as the ability to collaborate and provide advice on different areas at the same time.’
‘The team collaborates well and provides timely responses.’
Key clients
Brighton-Best International (Taiwan) Inc.
Cathay Securities Investment Trust Holdings
Chia Hsin Pacific Ltd.
Phihong Technology Co., Ltd.
Sino Diamond Motors Corporation
Tittot Co., Ltd.
Work highlights
- Assisted Phihong Technology Co., Ltd. in group restructuring via spin-off of its EV business unit to a new Taiwan subsidiary, followed by a cross-border share swap with its Singapore subsidiary.
Eiger
Eiger is regularly instructed by American and European multinationals as well as global law firms to handle corporate and M&A matters in Taiwan. The practice is increasingly active in the tech and energy spaces as companies in these sectors aim to establish their presence in the region. John Eastwood, with experience in the tech, shopping, logistics, and telecoms industries, jointly leads the team alongside Heather Hsiao, who focuses on matters in the entertainment, energy, and telecommunications sectors. Wendy Chu has recently acted for major food and consumer products companies.
Practice head(s):
John Eastwood; Heather Hsiao
Other key lawyers:
Wendy Chu
Testimonials
‘John Eastwood is always reachable and provides clear, concise, and commercially-tailored advice.’
‘Eiger Law provides excellent, user-friendly legal services in corporate M&A matters for Taiwan. Their bilingual capability and prompt responses are valuable.’
‘The Eiger team is responsive and always provides quality advice. For many years it has been a go-to law firm for corporate and M&A matters in Taiwan.’
Key clients
UPS
Hasbro
Santera Limited
Formosan Brothers Attorneys at Law
Formosan Brothers Attorneys at Law offers M&A expertise encompassing negotiation, deal structuring, and due diligence for joint ventures, share transfers, spin-offs, and partial or complete takeovers, to a diverse client base. Managing partner Li-Pu Lee, with clients in the aviation, consumer goods, energy, insurance, and tech sectors, among others, leads the practice alongside Terry Tu, who is also admitted to practice in New York.
Practice head(s):
Li-Pu Lee; Terry Tu
Innovatus Law
Innovatus Law
’s corporate and deal services team, led by co-founding partners Chia-heng Seetoo and Marine Yang, advises multinational industry leaders, government agencies, and family-owned Taiwanese businesses in relation to cross-border mergers, foreign investments, and joint venture formation, among other matters. The practice specialises in angel and venture capital investment and financing, cryptocurrency compliance, and entertainment co-production financing. Seetoo has recently advised a Hollywood-based content production fund on foreign investment regulations in Taiwan as well as a new venture capital fund based in Taiwan in relation to initial financing. Yang specialises in advising PRC-based companies on inbound investments and mergers. Having joined from KPMG Law in Taiwan in spring 2023, Sonia Sun brings tech sector expertise.
Practice head(s):
Chia-heng Seetoo; Marine Yang
Other key lawyers:
Sonia Sun
Testimonials
‘Innovatus Law provides a rounded commercial law service.’
Key clients
91APP, Inc.
Artilux Corporation
Farglory Life Insurance Co., Ltd. / Farglory Dome Co., Ltd. / Farglory Group
KkDay.com International Company Limited
Venture Plus Fund
Aevoe Inc.
Insider Pte Ltd (Useinsider.com)
XRSpace Holding Limited
Playnitride Inc.
KooData Inc.
Profet AI Technology Co., Ltd.
Work highlights
- Advised on Kkday.com International Company Limited on its group restructuring across multiple jurisdictions.
- Assisted Venture Plus Capital in relation to its Taiwanese investment structure, advising on issues such as management rights, fund formation, and deal documents.
- Advised Insider Group (useinsider.com) with respect to the establishment of its Taiwan operation and assisted the client to set up a Taiwanese branch of its Singapore operating subsidiary.
Nishimura & Asahi
Nishimura & Asahi specialises in handling investment into Taiwan by Japanese companies as well as investment into Japan by Taiwanese companies. With considerable cross-border M&A experience, Tokyo-based Ing-Chian Sun heads the practice.
Practice head(s):
Ing-Chian Sun
Key clients
Walsin Technology Corporation
Toshiba Corporation
Net Protections Holdings, Inc.
Advantage Partners Inc.
Tokyo Century Corporation.
Denso Corporation
Hokuriku Electric Power Company
Toho Gas Co., Ltd.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
T Capital Partners Co., Ltd.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Japan-China Capital Partners Co., Ltd.
ORIX Corporation
TKP Corporation
Russin & Vecchi (International Legal Counsellors)
Russin & Vecchi (International Legal Counsellors) acts as Taiwan and deal counsel in relation to cross-border M&A, including both public and private deals, private equity transactions, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, and restructurings. The practice, led by Thomas McGowan, is particularly well known for its work in the renewables space as well as for representing offshore asset managers.
Practice head(s):
Thomas McGowan