Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Lee and Li retains its top tier status, continuing its market leading advice on banking and financial laws and regulations in Taiwan.

M&A practice leader Sherry Lin is “a very talented practitioner”, and is renowned for her “problem-solving ways for both public and private companies, helping to make projects successful”, says one client.

The highlight for the banking team was its representation of eight Taiwanese financial institutions on the refinancing of two syndicated loans to Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation. This US$12.73 billion deal was the largest syndicated loan in the history of Taiwan.

In response to the growing economic ties between Taiwan and China, the team has introduced banking services in China by setting up representative offices, branches or subsidiaries. The firm advised MBK Partners in reaching an agreement with Wang Chung Broadband Media to sell the shares of China Network Systems and 11 cable system operators in Taiwan for a cash consideration of US$2.4 billion.

Lee and Li’s dispute resolution practice has extensive knowledge and experience in providing creative and tailor-made resolutions for each dispute, on litigation through to mediation.

The firm represented Jusung Engineering in a patent infringement lawsuit filed in 2004 where Applied Materials claimed damages of US$5.8 million in the first instance. The Taiwan Hsinchu District Court finally issued a judgment in 2011 to dismiss the plaintiff’s claim.

The strong year continued when the firm advised Motorola Electronics Taiwan and Nokia Taiwan in patent litigation filed by Maruone involving a patent relating to a camera lens module. Another notable highlight was advising French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-aventis to file a preliminary injunction against a local pharmaceutical company on the basis of a new crystalline form patent.

Lee and Li is “one of the leading law firms on patent hearings”, says a competitor. The firm’s clients consist of numerous internationally renowned companies. Managing Partner CV Chen “is deeply knowledgeable of the law in China and Taiwan”, says a rival partner.

A key transaction saw the firm act for Electro Scientific Industries in an administrative suit instituted by All Ring Tech against an invalidated decision rendered by the Intellectual Property Office and upheld by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The firm represented Apple Inc in the IP Court, which confirmed the APPLE trade mark was a famous mark in Taiwan and further gave Apple Inc more protection against the future registration of similar marks.

For the past few years, Lee and Li has been actively growing and expanding its telecom and media practice. Additionally, the firm has specialised in policy research projects for the government in relation to fixed network and 3G mobile network regulations, and the establishment of the National Communication Commission.

The firm assisted MBK Partners in reaching an agreement with Wang Chung Broadband Media to sell the shares of China Network Systems and 11 cable system operators in Taiwan for a total value of US$2.4 billion.

Another highlight was advising on Carlyle Group’s sale of Cheng Ting/KBRO. This deal resulted from the failure of the proposed acquisition of Cheng Ting by Taiwan Mobile due to legal restrictions on the shareholding of cable operators.

Lee and Li’s employment practice represents some of the largest corporations on employment law matters. The firm specialises in general labour and employment issues as well as on related disputes. Partner Lawrence Yu is considered “the jewel of the practice”, says a competitor, and is recommended for his expertise in litigation in this area.

The firm assisted a major securities company in defending a lawsuit brought by more than 400 employees who claimed that employment offer letters, issued to them at the time of an asset transfer deal, were null and invalid.

“I’m very confident in the Lee and Li tax team’s ability to give me the right solutions,” says one client. The firm’s practitioners are conversant with tax laws and regulations, and have the in-depth knowledge needed to identify and resolve complex tax issues.

A highlight of the practice was representing a multinational company in a US$2.5 million tax dispute over the validity of a tax assessment notice to its liquidated affiliate in Taiwan.

Another transaction saw the team advising an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in a tax dispute regarding expenses incurred for the sponsorship of doctors’ participation in overseas medical conferences.