TAIPEI, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Duane Morris LLP announced today that it has opened an office in Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)—Duane Morris & Selvam Taiwan, a foreign legal affairs law firm—after securing approval from the Ministry of Justice. Through its new presence in Taiwan, attorneys across the Duane Morris global platform will work closely with clients to achieve their business goals, with emphasis on intellectual property for Taiwan’s robust high-technology, pharmaceutical and bio-tech industries, as well as in commercial and corporate transactions, antitrust and regulatory compliance, white collar litigation and investigations, and foreign trade and investment.
“Our new Taiwan office is a logical next step in the long-term strategy for our international operations and our continued growth in Asia,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO John J. Soroko. “We already have extensive experience working with Taiwan-based multinational companies, and our global platform will help facilitate the business of Taiwanese companies operating cross-border, with focus on the U.S.”
Taiwan’s powerful economic engine, Soroko noted, encompasses industries as diverse as pharmaceuticals and life-sciences, semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing, alternative energy, shipping and other transportation concerns, consumer goods, and construction. “With our experience in all these areas in the U.S. and around the world, we expect to be of great service to many of these Taiwanese business sectors,” he said.
Duane Morris has long represented Taiwanese companies, particularly in intellectual property, corporate and litigation matters. For instance, the firm represents Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest semiconductor foundry company, in various intellectual property matters in the U.S., including patent infringement litigation, inter partes reviews and patent prosecution. Other Taiwan clients have included Acer, Epistar, AU Optronics, VIA Technologies, Innolux, Nanya Plastics and Giant Manufacturing.
In March 2015, Richard L. Thurston rejoined Duane Morris in the Intellectual Property Group in the firm’s New York office. He had previously served as senior vice president and general counsel of TSMC in Taiwan, after beginning his legal career at Duane Morris. Fluent in Mandarin, Thurston has served as an advisor to the Taiwanese, South Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese governments on intellectual property protection and reform.
The Taiwan launch marks the fourth international opening for the firm and its Duane Morris & Selvam joint venture since 2013.
In Taiwan, Christopher M. Neumeyer has joined the firm as special counsel in the Intellectual Property Practice Group, along with legal consultant Cheng Hsiang “Eric” Chu.
Neumeyer has practiced in Taiwan since 2000, including as counsel at Texas Instruments and legal director at Lite-On Technology Corp. Chu has advised companies in a variety of industries in Asia and globally with regard to patent licensing, patent infringement actions and IP clearance matters.
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Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today's multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 750 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries.