Asia Business Law Journal names Taiwan’s top law firms. Byung Jin Park and Miran Lim report
Taiwanese law firms are playing an increasingly important role in safeguarding economic growth. Taiwan’s economy ended the first quarter of 2025 on a positive note. Taiwan’s gross domestic product grew by 5.48% in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing the previous forecast of 3.46% for February.
The unexpected growth was driven by an increase in exports, fuelled by global demand for advanced chips critical to the AI boom. Taiwan’s exports are propelled by major technology companies such as Foxconn and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest foundry, which supplies semiconductors to global companies including Nvidia and Apple.
However, the uncertainty over possible US tariffs could have a far-reaching impact on Taiwan’s economy. The US is one of Taiwan’s top trade partners and is its second-largest export destination, after mainland China. In April, US President Donald Trump announced a 32% import tariff on Taiwanese goods, but later suspended it for 90 days to allow for trade negotiations.
While the outlook for Taiwan’s economy remains clouded by uncertainty surrounding US tariffs and geopolitical risks, Taiwanese law firms are set to act as guardians and partners to local companies. As economic challenges mount, more companies are also expected to seek their guidance from Taiwanese law firms to navigate an increasingly uncertain economic environment. Against this promising backdrop, Asia Business Law Journal proudly presents the inaugural Taiwan Law Firm Awards 2025 to recognise its top legal performers.
We have given awards in categories including Law Firm of the Year, Best Overall Law Firms, Best Boutique Law Firm and Best New Law Firm, in addition to recognising winners in 31 practice area categories.
As one of Taiwan’s most established and largest law firms, comprising more than 250 lawyers qualified in Taiwan and abroad, Lee and Li captured the honour of Law Firm of the Year by delivering a full spectrum of legal services tailored to the needs of both domestic and international clients.
One of the firm’s most notable accomplishments in the past year was advising Shinhan Bank, one of the largest commercial banks in South Korea, on its USD400 million green covered bond issuance. Lee and Li assisted with legal structuring, regulatory filings and document review.
This was the first deal of its kind under Taipei Exchange’s (TPEx) new regime allowing foreign issuers to issue green covered bonds. The bonds were listed on the TPEx and the Singapore Exchange and sold to professional investors in Taiwan.
Another significant highlight of Lee and Li’s work last year was serving as Taiwan counsel to Mega International Commercial Bank and First Commercial Bank, which co-ordinated and arranged the financing for WT Microelectronics and Morrihan International Corp.
The transaction aimed to finance the borrower’s acquisition of Future Electronics, a Canada-based global distributor of electronic components. The total financing amount was about USD2 billion, and the deal represented the largest syndicated loan to date to semiconductor component distributors in Taiwan.
A partner and patent attorney at a large Japanese law firm in Tokyo, who prefers to remain anonymous, praises the firm: “I would like to recommend Lee and Li as a trusted law firm in Taiwan,” the person says. “Lee and Li is the largest law firm in Taiwan, renowned for its strong expertise and extensive experience in a wide range of areas, including intellectual property, corporate law and international transactions.
“The firm has a proven track record of working with multinational companies and is well-versed in assisting Japanese clients, making it a reliable and professional choice.”
BEST OVERALL LAW FIRMS
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- LEE AND LI
- TSAR & TSAI
Along with Lee and Li, law firms Tsar & Tsai, Baker McKenzie and Dentons Taiwan were selected as the Best Overall Law Firms. While Lee and Li won in 20 categories, Tsar & Tsai received awards in 15 categories, and Baker McKenzie and Dentons Taiwan scored in 12 and 10 categories, respectively.
As one of the largest law firms in Taiwan, Tsar & Tsai provided support to its international and cross-border clients on a number of notable transactions throughout the year. The firm acted as Taiwanese counsel to US-based Capital One on its acquisition of Discover Financial Services, which was completed in May 2025. The all-stock transaction was valued at USD35.3 billion.
Tsar & Tsai also successfully advised Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in its participation in HD Renewable Energy’s (HDRE) first private placement, through which Mitsubishi Electric became one of HDRE’s top 10 shareholders.
HDRE, a Taipei-based developer, operates solar power and battery storage systems. According to Tsar & Tsai, this strategic investment will strengthen Mitsubishi Electric’s presence in the green energy markets of Taiwan and Japan.
Finally, the firm advised ABC Impact, a member of Temasek Trust Asset Management, on its USD50 million investment into Tekoma Energy, a Japan-based solar asset developer. Through this investment, ABC Impact joined HSBC Asset Management’s energy transition infrastructure team, which had acquired Tekoma Energy in June 2023. Tekoma has operations in Japan and Taiwan, with plans to expand into South Korea.
Mugi Sekido, a partner at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in Tokyo, shares his experience with Tsar & Tsai. “We worked with Tsar & Tsai for a Japanese client on a complex dispute lasting almost a decade involving technical issues in French courts against a Taiwanese company,” he says. “We could successfully reach a settlement thanks to effective negotiation in Taiwan led by Tsar & Tsai. The Japanese client was very satisfied with the outcome.”
This year, Baker McKenzie was recognised as one of the Best Overall Law Firms as its Taipei office marks its 50th anniversary. In the past 50 years, Baker McKenzie has supported Taiwanese companies through the economy’s evolution from a manufacturing hub to a centre of technological innovation, and from a domestic market to a global player.
Baker McKenzie’s key highlights in the past year include acting as counsel to SinoPac Financial Holding in its acquisition of 100% of King’s Town Bank shares, a transaction valued at about USD1.83 billion, with consideration in both cash and shares. The firm advised on deal structuring, reviewing and negotiating transaction documents, and compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. The merger is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025.
As renewable energy has become an irreversible trend in Taiwan, Baker McKenzie has also advised on major energy transactions. The firm acted for Cathay Life Insurance, Taiwan’s largest insurance company, in its NTD53.3 billion (USD1.6 billion) acquisition of a 50% stake in the 583MW Greater Changhua 4 offshore wind farm, owned by Denmark’s Ørsted.
The firm also advised Cathay Life Insurance on financing this development. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the wind cluster aims to generate enough energy to power nearly 2 million Taiwanese households.
Since the implementation of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in March 2016, the Taiwanese government has increased regulatory scrutiny on data security and cross-border data transfers. In response, Dentons Taiwan has advised clients on personal data protection, cybersecurity risk management and regulatory compliance filings.
In the past year, Dentons Taiwan supported clients including TD Synnex, AutoNavi, TomTom, United Way and a leading Taiwanese chemical company in ensuring compliance with the PDPA.
The firm’s work included advising on data retention policies, obtaining valid consent and co-ordinating with overseas affiliates to mitigate privacy risks. It also provided incident response guidance in the event of data breaches and assisted clients in designing compliance frameworks that meet both local requirements and global obligations.
Dentons Taiwan also advised a range of technology clients on regulatory matters, data protection and market entry in Taiwan’s fast-changing digital landscape. The firm is providing legal counsel to BT Tech on corporate restructuring, intellectual property strategy and compliance matters related to its data integration technologies.
Patricia Yeh, a managing director at UBS Taiwan in Taipei, acknowledges Dentons Taiwan’s work. “I have worked with Dentons on a number of capital market transactions in Taiwan led by James Hsiao,” she says.
“Dentons’ team demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the local market and is one of the few local counsel that I have worked with who can have a great understanding of the commercial context of complicated and sophisticated matters. The Dentons team is also very responsive and approaches matters in an efficient and timely manner.”
BEST BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM
- HSU & ASSOCIATES
Hsu & Associates is a law firm headquartered in Taipei, established by Steven Hsu, a former prosecutor with more than 10 years of prosecutorial experience. The firm specialises in intellectual property and the intersection between digital matters and the law.
During his time as a prosecutor, Hsu specialised in a broad range of white-collar crimes, including cases involving intellectual property, cybercrime and personal data protection. His expertise in information technology now drives his active involvement in cyber law, technology investigations, AI, privacy and fintech. Hsu & Associates is highly trusted by clients for their strengths in these areas, as well as in trade secret litigation and digital forensics.
Although headquartered in Taipei’s Xinyi district, Hsu & Associates operates as a paperless and virtual law firm. Lawyers work remotely, except when required for litigation or special circumstances, with over 90% of the team regularly working from home. This approach enables attorneys to collaborate seamlessly with colleagues and clients regardless of location.
BEST NEW LAW FIRM
- JUSTIN & PARTNERS
Established in September 2024, Justin & Partners is a committed team specialising in cross-border solutions. In the past year, the firm advised a prominent Taiwanese manufacturer of rigid contact lenses on its USD180 million share swap transaction with a global optical technology group based in Germany.
With the deal scheduled for completion by March 2026, it leverages the German group’s global innovation capabilities together with the Taiwanese company’s specialised expertise in orthokeratology (the use of specially designed contact lenses that reshape the cornea for better vision).
In addition, Justin & Partners advised a Taiwan-based company specialising in the manufacture, processing and sale of stainless steel products on a USD200 million capital increase related to a planned joint venture in the US auto parts sector with a major Japanese company. The firm assisted in drafting and executing the share subscription agreement, with completion expected by August 2025.
Finally, Justin & Partners advised a private client who successfully won the bid for an offshore equity interest in a landmark commercial property in Taiwan. The client was selected as the winning bidder with a total bid exceeding USD200 million. Justin & Partners provided legal support on ownership structure due diligence and ongoing share purchase agreement negotiations. This deal is expected to close by the end of 2025.
OTHER AWARD HIGHLIGHTS
Eiger, a full-service law firm with an Asia-Pacific and Greater China practice, have been active in the field of AI. The firm is advising a major, US-based telecoms company on intellectual property issues related to the use of generative AI in Taiwan. Eiger also assisted a global technology company, renowned for its software, hardware, cloud services and advancements in AI, with local termination guidelines.
Eiger has been handling employment-related matters for several companies going through insolvency or restructuring in Taiwan, too. This past year includes matters for several famous alternative energy companies, a well-known American financial company, a major furniture company, and a US-based data storage company. The firm is currently handling branch closure matters for one of the world’s most recognisable imaging and consumer products companies as well, and has handled liquidation matters for a major e-commerce platform and continues to do follow-up work for this client.
Chien Yeh Law Offices has recently advised on cross-border syndicated loans, assisting with Taiwan elements in the suretyship arrangements required by financial institutions. The firm’s partner in charge, Chien-Ting Yeh, serves as multi-annual counsel of the Bankers Association of the Republic of China, advising on legislative amendments and the implementation of internal self-regulatory rules.
The firm also recently advised an event organiser of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 2024 and the World Baseball Classic 2025 Qualifiers held in Taiwan, counselling on multiple business deals such as licensing between the WBSC, suppliers, distributors and the event organiser.
In 2024, Chien Yeh Law Offices also advised private equity funds on multiple equity investment projects in Taiwan. The firm completed more than five transactions involving investment approval from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, closing matters across industries such as semiconductors, optoelectronic product development, integrated circuit design and biotechnology.
After winning this year’s Corporate & commercial and Mergers & acquisitions awards, K&L Gates remained active throughout the year, advising on several of Taiwan’s most notable transactions.
The firm advised global beauty and fashion company Perfect Corp on its acquisition of Wannaby, whose technologies enable consumers to virtually try on shoes, bags and other premium fashion products. The deal is expected to expand Perfect Corp’s offerings into new luxury market segments. This cross-border transaction was led by Taipei partner Joseph Tseng and managing partner Jacqueline Fu.
K&L Gates also advised MediaTek on its USD150 million sale and licensing of its discrete timing controller (TCON) assets and related technology to Ili Technology (Ilitek), a company specialising in the design of display driver integrated circuits. MediaTek is a fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions with global operations and is expected to streamline its business following the successful sale and licensing of its TCON assets and related technology to Ilitek.
KPMG Law Firm was active in the energy sector last year, successfully assisting several high-tech companies in Taiwan with procuring renewable energy by facilitating the signing of corporate power purchase agreements. One of the most notable cases was UMC, which agreed to purchase more than 30 billion kilowatt-hours of power over 30 years from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, marking the largest renewable energy transaction in UMC’s history.
The firm was also engaged by CPC Corporation, One of Taiwan’s largest energy companies, to provide commercial structuring advice on developing geothermal projects in Taiwan.
KPMG Law’s representative matters in inbound investment also drew attention from ABLJ. The firm successfully assisted Foxsemicon, a Foxconn group company, in acquiring a majority stake in a local company specialising in aviation technologies, in a deal valued at USD68 million. It was also retained by SinoPac, one of Taiwan’s leading financial conglomerates, to conduct legal due diligence in connection with Prudential’s auction of its entire Taiwanese business.
Saint Island International Patent & Law Offices provides comprehensive legal services across all areas of intellectual property. The firm received this year’s awards for Patent litigation and Trademark litigation, recognising its work for some of Taiwan’s most prominent clients. Notably, the firm successfully defended Samsung Electronics Taiwan in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by a Taiwanese IT company. The plaintiff claimed that the Galaxy S22 Ultra series smartphones infringed its patent for a portable communication device equipped with an internet phone module.
However, on 23 December 2024, the court dismissed all of the plaintiff’s claims, finding that the asserted patent claims lacked inventive steps in view of the prior art references presented in the case.
In another trademark litigation case, Saint Island represented Taisun Enterprise, which has used the “Taisun” house mark for decades on food and soft drinks that enjoy nationwide popularity and recognition. On discovering that an eatery had adopted this mark as its business name, Taisun filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction and monetary damages. The firm prevailed, securing an injunction that required the defendant to remove and destroy all physical and digital promotional materials, including signboards, bearing the client’s mark.
Since early 2024, Tsai Lee & Chen has been assisting clients with the implementation of the Taiwan Intellectual Property Management System. The firm reported to ABLJ that all of its clients successfully obtained certification by the end of 2024. These efforts have contributed to the development of robust internal IP governance frameworks, improving transparency and risk management in corporate operations.
Recently, Tsai Lee & Chen has also seen increased client service activity, demonstrating its strengths in compliance and risk management. Notably, the firm represented a Taiwanese integrated circuit design company in a US patent infringement case, successfully initiating an inter partes review process, a procedure under US patent law that allows a third party to challenge the validity of an issued patent’s claims before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
Tsai Lee & Chen also assisted a biopharma client in submitting a paragraph IV certification under Taiwan’s patent linkage system, declaring that a patent listed by the drug manufacturer is either invalid or will not be infringed by the generic drug. The firm further represented the client in the subsequent litigation before the IP court.
Pierre Cantin, lead IP counsel (conseiller principal) at CCM Hockey in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, shared his experience with the firm’s IP partner, Crystal J Chen. “We always get very prompt service from Crystal J Chen and her team, as well as judicious advice that has always proven effective,” he says.
“Crystal J Chen and her team have been able to deftly steer our company during a long, dragged out trade secret case against a litigation-prone plaintiff, which proved invaluable considering our lack of internal knowledge with Taiwan’s relevant legislation.”
Winkler Partners provides counsel to global entertainment leaders and gaming startups on contract review, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution and intellectual property protection. In the past year, the firm obtained Taiwan’s first domain seizure warrant in a copyright enforcement action against one of its largest piracy websites, representing an alliance of global film and television rights holders. The firm is also acting for a global media conglomerate in a royalty dispute concerning public transmission fees for digital streaming.
Winkler Partners’ client base also includes multinational technology companies, film and entertainment producers, food and beverage companies, hospitality and hotel groups, and luxury goods brands. In 2024, the firm advised a US technology conglomerate on trademark clearance, prosecution and enforcement across the Asia-Pacific region.
It ensured comprehensive protection of the client’s intellectual property, providing strategic guidance on trademark registrations, renewals and enforcement actions. The firm also assisted in combating counterfeit websites and resolving domain name issues to prevent dilution or free riding on its brand.
Iain Garner, the CEO at Neon Doctrine in Taipei, a global video game publisher and developer, praises Winkler Partners’ performance: “Winkler was able to help us understand and navigate the complex laws of Taiwan, and was a stalwart ally during difficult circumstances. They were flexible in their approach and worked with us on a uniquely complex situation with great diligence, respect and professionalism.”
Joanna Lawrence, a partner at Ashurst in Melbourne, also praises the firm, saying that they stand out not only for their deep expertise but also for their clear communication style and responsiveness. “Winkler Partners are wonderful to work with and they have been my go-to law firm in Taiwan for many years now. They are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced in all areas of trademark law and their client focused service is top-notch.”
Donghyuk Kim, the head of Asia-Pacific at Riot Games in Seoul, echoes Garner and Lawrence’s sentiment. “Our main working partner at Winkler is Ling-Ying Hsu. She consistently demonstrates a sharp understanding of the core issues behind our inquiries and goes beyond standard legal advice. Her insights are immensely helpful in enabling our in-house legal team to support the business teams in making well-informed and balanced decisions.”
Brain Trust International Law Firm has been recognised in the Competition & antitrust category for advising clients across various sectors on the review of distribution contracts and business strategies from an antitrust law perspective.
Most recently, the firm was invited by several public media outlets to comment on the high-profile merger case between Uber Eats and Foodpanda, in mid-2024. It later organised a seminar on the same topic, attended by former officials of the Taiwan Fair Trade Commission and members of academia. The firm’s antitrust practice is led by managing partner Hung Ou Yang.
Grant Tanabe, foreign law counsel at Aquaxis Law Office in Tokyo, applauds the firm’s antitrust practice: “Brain Trust International Law Firm is an exceptional leader in the field of competition and antitrust law,” he says. “Their ability to deliver clear, commercially driven and practical advice in complex regulatory matters involving antitrust issues such as merger control makes them a trusted adviser to our global Japan-based clients.”
- Law Firm of the Year
- Best Overall Law Firms
- Best Boutique Law Firm
- Best New Law Firm
- Arbitration / ADR
- Artificial Intelligence
- Banking & finance
- Capital markets
- Competition & antitrust
- Compliance & corporate governance
- Corporate & commercial
- Data compliance & cybersecurity
- Energy
- Entertainment & sports
- Family offices & private wealth management
- Fintech
- Inbound investment
- Infrastructure & project finance
- Insolvency & restructuring
- Insurance & reinsurance
- Japan practice
- Labour & employment
- Life sciences & healthcare
- Litigation
- Mergers & acquisitions
- Outbound investment
- Patent litigation
- Patent prosecution
- Trademark litigation
- Trademark prosecution
- Private equity & venture capital
- Real estate
- Shipping & maritime
- Taxation
- Technology
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- LEE AND LI
- TSAR & TSAI
- HSU & ASSOCIATES
- JUSTIN & PARTNERS
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- FORMOSA TRANSNATIONAL ATTORNEYS AT LAW
- JONES DAY
- TSAR & TSAI
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- CHIEN YEH LAW OFFICES
- LEE AND LI
- TSAR & TSAI
- K&L GATES
- LCS & PARTNERS
- LEE AND LI
- TSAR & TSAI
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- CHEN & LIN
- FORMOSA TRANSNATIONAL ATTORNEYS AT LAW
- JONES DAY
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- K&L GATES
- LEE AND LI
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- EIGER
- GUO JU LAW FIRM
- LEE AND LI
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- KPMG LAW FIRM
- LEE AND LI
- LIN & PARTNERS
- CHIEN YEH LAW OFFICES
- EIGER
- LIN & PARTNERS
- WINKLER PARTNERS
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- EIGER
- KPMG LAW FIRM
- LCS & PARTNERS
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- LCS & PARTNERS
- LEE AND LI
- LEE TSAI & PARTNERS
- CHIEN YEH LAW OFFICES
- FORMOSA TRANSNATIONAL ATTORNEYS AT LAW
- KPMG LAW FIRM
- LEE AND LI
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- FORMOSAN BROTHERS
- LCS & PARTNERS
- CHEN & LIN
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- EIGER
- TSAR & TSAI
- LEE AND LI
- LEXCEL PARTNERS
- LIN & PARTNERS
- TSAR & TSAI
- FORMOSA TRANSNATIONAL ATTORNEYS AT LAW
- LEE AND LI
- STELLEX LAW FIRM
- TSAR & TSAI
- CHEN & LIN
- FORMOSA TRANSNATIONAL ATTORNEYS AT LAW
- STELLEX LAW FIRM
- TSAR & TSAI
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- CHEN & LIN
- K&L GATES
- LEE AND LI
- FORMOSA TRANSNATIONAL ATTORNEYS AT LAW
- JONES DAY
- LIN & PARTNERS
- TSAR & TSAI
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- K&L GATES
- LEE AND LI
- TSAR & TSAI
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- KPMG LAW FIRM
- LEE AND LI
- TSAR & TSAI
- LEE AND LI
- SAINT ISLAND INTERNATIONAL PATENT & LAW OFFICES
- TAI E INTERNATIONAL PATENT & LAW OFFICES
- TOP TEAM
- TAI E INTERNATIONAL PATENT & LAW OFFICES
- TOP TEAM
- TSAI LEE & CHEN
- TSAR & TSAI
- DEEP & FAR ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
- LI & CAI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE
- SAINT ISLAND INTERNATIONAL PATENT & LAW OFFICES
- TSAI LEE & CHEN
- BRAIN TRUST INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM
- LEE AND LI
- TIPLO ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
- WINKLER PARTNERS
- FORMOSAN BROTHERS
- LCS & PARTNERS
- LEXCEL PARTNERS
- TSAR & TSAI
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- FORMOSAN BROTHERS
- LEE AND LI
- LIN & PARTNERS
- CHUN WEI INTERNATIONAL LAW
- FORMOSAN BROTHERS
- JTJB TAIPEI
- LIN & PARTNERS
- BAKER MCKENZIE
- CHEN & LIN
- CHIEN YEH LAW OFFICES
- FORMOSAN BROTHERS
- DENTONS TAIWAN
- LEE AND LI
- LIN & PARTNERS
- TSAR & TSAI
THE JUDGING PROCESS
Winners of Asia Business Law Journal’s Taiwan Law Firm Awards 2025 were selected based on the votes, references and qualitative information received from in-house counsel and other legal professionals in Taiwan and around the world.
A voting form was posted on our website, inviting thousands of in-house counsel, lawyers at international law firms and other Taiwan-focused professionals to vote. At the same time, Taiwanese law firms were asked to make submissions in support of their candidacy for the awards.
These submissions, combined with research by Asia Business Law Journal’s editorial team, played a supporting role in the judging process. All Taiwanese law firms were automatically eligible for inclusion in the awards process. As always, there were no fees or any other requirements for entry.
