Aaron Chen has more than 20 years of experience specializing in competition law, corporate investment and governance, commercial arbitration and dispute resolution.
Aaron has a proven record of successfully representing clients in landmark cases, including concerted action investigations brought by the Taiwan Fair Trade Commission and cartel administrative and civil actions. He has also represented clients in handling investigations over standard-essential patent abuse allegations. He routinely provides advice on obtaining pre-merger approvals, including those for public tender offer deals, and other vertical restraints to clients in a wide range of industries.
Aaron has rich experience in arbitration and litigation, including successes in representing clients in competition law and corporate investment and ownership related disputes. He has represented clients before the Chinese Arbitration Association (CAA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC). He has also represented clients in construction disputes in mediation, arbitration and litigation proceedings.
Additionally, Aaron regularly advises clients on their corporate investments and governance matters, including merger and acquisitions, as well as corporate governance structure and governance, which include ESG, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
Mr. Chen currently acts as the Chairperson of the Competition Law Committee of the Taipei Bar Association, the Vice-chair of the Competition Law Committee of the Taiwan Bar Association, and as the Advisor of the Fair Trade and Consumer Relationship Commission, Chinese National Federation of Industries. Through these roles, he proactively participated in competition law communities and advocate competition policy.
EXPERIENCE
Chair, Competition Law Committee of the Taipei Bar Association (present)
Vice-Chair, Competition Law Committee of the Taiwan Bar Association (present)
Advisor, Fair Trade and Consumer Relationship Commission, Chinese National Federation of Industries (present)
Non-Governmental Adviser, International Competition Network (2023)
PREVIOUS PROJECTS AND CASES
Competition Law
Represented an independent power producer in concerted action litigation (administrative and civil actions)
Represented leading cement manufacturers in antitrust (concerted action) litigation
Represented an multinational conglomerate in semiconductors and consumer electronics in competition law matters
Represented a capacitor manufacturer in concerted action litigation
Represented industrial associations in responding to concerted action investigations and compliance matters
Represented enterprises in various industries in responding to concerted action investigations
Represented a leading IC design company in competition law matters
Assisted leading petrochemical company to obtain pre-merger approvals in Taiwan and China
Assisted international leading sensor solution company to obtain pre-merger approval in Taiwan for its public tender offer of a lighting solution company in Germany
Advised fin-tech companies in pre-merger filing compliance
Provided advice to various clients on compliance matters in relation to pre-merger filings in a public M&A
Represented international leading medical device company in competition law matters
Corporate Governance and Investment
Represented a leading industrial gas company in various litigations in relation to corporate governance in a JV project, and advised on share acquisitions and corporate governance matters
Provided legal advice to clients on controlling power and corporate compliance
Advising clients on the corporate governance related matters
Acted as advisers on Taiwan law for an international private equity fund in the IPO of business regarding cable TV in Singapore
Assisted an international private equity fund in a Greater China region merger case, including performing due diligence and providing advice on relevant regulatory issues
Represented clients in cross-strait merger and acquisition matters for, including providing advice on the investment structure, due diligence, contract drafting and negotiation and compliance issues (industries including beverage, sewage treatment, insurance, etc.)
Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Represented a global industrial gas manufacturer in ICC arbitration
Represented a furniture manufacturer in ICC arbitration in Hong Kong
Represented a client in the IT industry in arbitration before the Chinese Arbitration Association
Represented a contractor in arbitration before the Chinese Arbitration Association
Represented an online video game company in contract performance dispute and arbitration in Taiwan and the PRC
Represented a consultant company in an arbitration (Beijing)
Represented an international chemicals company in arbitration before the American Arbitration Association
Assisted a listed company in resolving a construction performance dispute
Represented a Japanese conglomerate in a construction performance dispute
Represented a leading U.S. company in a construction performance dispute
Assisted a client in a California shareholder dispute litigation matter and successfully settled the dispute
Assisted a client in resolving commercial disputes in Arizona
Represented clients in competition law and commercial litigation, as well as other administrative (public law) litigation
Intellectual Properties Law
Represented clients in competition law matters concerning standard-essential patents
Provided legal advice on intellectual property law and licensing agreements, including, joint development agreements, copyright licensing and dispute resolution matters. Clients included high-tech firms and companies in the literature, music and gaming industries
AWARD
HONORS
EDUCATION
QUALIFICATION
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
SPEECH AND WORK AUTHORED
- ICLG-Competition Litigation Laws and Regulations 2023-2025, Taiwan Chapter, International Comparative Legal Guide
- Merger Control, Market Intelligence, LexGTDT, 2023-2024, Taiwan Chapter (co-author)
- Global Competition Review, Enforcer Hub, Taiwan: Private Practice Perspective,2021-2023 (co-author)
- International Arbitration Guide with Chambers Global Practice Guides, 2021-2022, Taiwan Chapter (co-author)
- Getting the Deal Through – Dominance, Taiwan Chapter, 2018-2020 (co-author)
- “International and Taiwan Competition Law Developments and the Impacts” ( Trade Policy Journal Vol. 28 , Dec. 2017)
- "International Competition Law Trends, Developments and Impact" (Industry magazine published by the Chinese National Federation of Industries, July 2017)
- Speech on "International Competition Law Trends and Impact" at the 2017 International Trade Lecture, Chinese National Federation of Industries, May 9, 2017)
- Taiwan attracts more investors with signing of the ECFA (co-author, China Law and Practice, July/August, 2010)
- China Policies and Measures Responding to the Financial Tsunami (Speech for Taiwan Technology Industry Legal Officers Association, March 27, 2009)
- Reform of the EU Competition Law on the Technology Transfer Block Exemption (Master thesis, 2005)
