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Michael Wong

Special Senior Consultant
Baker & McKenzie
Not admitted to practice law in this jurisdiction

Biography

Michael is the Head of the Tax Practice Group in our Taipei office and a leading authority on legal, regulatory, and taxation issues involving major cross-border commercial transactions. He has extensive experience handling complex multi-jurisdictional matters, including acquisitions, joint ventures, infrastructure projects, and technology/media/telecom (TMT) issues. Michael also advises high-net-worth families on private banking, wealth management, and cross-border legal and tax matters, such as trusts, foundations, wills, and private holding companies. As a former member of Baker McKenzie's Global Executive Committee and Chair of the Asia Pacific Region, Michael has participated as a speaker in numerous global forums and large-scale symposiums.

Practice Focus

Michael's practice focuses on corporate commercial, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, private equity, technology, media, telecom, and private banking.

Representative Legal Matters

Mergers & Acquisitions

  • Advised on a US multinational cross border acquisition of a listed Taiwan company by way of a public tender offer.

  • Advised on a USD 2.3 billion merger between two leading Taiwan listed companies, in forming the world's third largest LED panel maker.

  • Represented a Taiwan financial holding company in its strategic investment and cooperation with a large state owned PRC banking group.

  • Advised on a USD 630 million tender offer by Advanced Semiconductor Engineering on all outstanding shares of Universal Scientific Industrial Inc., using a combination of cash and shares as considerations.

Tax Matters

  • Assisting high net worth families on private wealth management and cross border legal and tax issues, including the use of trust and foundations, wills and private holding companies.

  • Assisting financial institutions and independent trustees on cross- border tax and legal compliance issues.

  • Structuring Taiwan operations and transactions, including representative offices, branches and subsidiaries of foreign enterprises.

  • Assists with preparation of requests for tax rulings and tax incentives offered to encourage investment and technology transfer.

  • Provides advice and implementation on corporate restructuring.

Professional Honors

  • Named Eminent Practitioner by Chambers Greater China Region Guide (2024)
  • Named Hall of Fame Individual by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024)
  • Named Leading Individual by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024)
  • Named Leading Lawyer – Highly Regarded by IFLR1000 (2024)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Asian American Bar Association
  • State Bar of California
  • American Bar Association
  • American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan

Corporate Responsibility

  • Ruian Rotary Club, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Li Ching Cultural and Education Foundation, Taiwan
  • Community Cooks, Boston, U.S.A.
  • Chi Heng Foundation, Hong Kong

Admissions

  • California~United States (1985)

Education

  • Soochow University (LL.M.) (1989)
  • University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly University of California, Hastings College of the Law) (J.D.) (1985)
  • University of California at Los Angeles (B.A.) (1981)

Languages

  • English
  • Mandarin
Baker & McKenzie, a Taiwanese Partnership, is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein.