A leading international arbitration lawyer with 20 years of experience in the field, Anton Ware acts as counsel in commercial and investment treaty arbitration proceedings worldwide, focusing on the Asia Pacific region. Anton also regularly sits as arbitrator in international arbitration cases and is listed on the panel of arbitrators of all major arbitral institutions in Asia. His recent cases include representing the Republic of Korea in successfully defeating a $4.7 billion claim by Lone Star Funds, and helping to secure termination of a UNCITRAL arbitration against the Kingdom of Thailand with all claims withdrawn and no compensation paid.
Clients describe Anton as “exceptional in understanding the most complex legal and financial matters involved in an investment dispute” (Chambers Global, 2026) and “smart, detailed, innovative and tenacious”, with a “strong ... ability to read the sentiments of the arbitrators” and “impressive first-class lawyering” (Chambers Global 2025).
Based in China for nearly a decade, Anton speaks and reads Mandarin Chinese with professional fluency and regularly advises clients on all aspects of avoiding and resolving China-related disputes. He also sits as arbitrator in Chinese language arbitration proceedings. In addition to his arbitration practice, Anton also has extensive experience in U.S. litigation and anti-corruption investigation matters.
Anton regularly speaks on international arbitration topics and guest lectures at leading law schools in China. He previously taught international commercial arbitration at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
Anton earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and Editor of the Columbia Law Review. He also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, who at the time was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and is now a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Experience
- National oil company in $1 billion dispute with contractor (ICC, New York).
- The Republic of Peru in $2 billion dispute arising from public-private partnership contract with oil and gas consortium (ICSID).
- Representative in dispute with client relating to marketing of nuclear fuel services in Asia (ICC, Paris).
- U.S. manufacturer of high-tech instruments in obtaining complete dismissal of $95 million breach of contract claims by Asian reseller and award of attorneys’ fees and costs (ICC, Los Angeles).
- Korean electronics manufacturer in successfully resolving intellectual property and breach of license agreement dispute with U.S. software supplier (ICC, San Diego).
- Chinese electronics manufacturer in successfully resolving breach of license agreement dispute with U.S. software supplier (JAMS, California).
- Chinese software company in intellectual property and breach of contract dispute with multinational software company (ICDR, New York).
- Hana Financial Group in obtaining complete dismissal of $1.4 billion claims by U.S. private equity fund and award of attorneys' fees and costs in post-M&A dispute (ICC, Singapore).
- Asian mobile device manufacturer in defeating request by component supplier for worldwide injunction under copyright and patent license agreement (ICC, Maui).
- Latin American railroad concessionaire in obtaining complete dismissal of $1 billion breach of contract claims (ICC, Bogota).
- U.S. pharmaceutical company in obtaining complete dismissal of claims by Swiss pharmaceutical company for royalties under patent license agreement (JAMS, Boston).
- U.S. metals company in successfully resolving breach of contract dispute with Chinese metals company (CIETAC, Beijing).
- Biomedical research institute in successfully resolving on favorable terms a dispute with its joint venture partner in China (HKIAC, Hong Kong).
- Chinese metals conglomerate in successfully resolving investment dispute with U.S. mineral development company (ICC, Hong Kong).
- Asian shipbuilder in dispute involving sale and charter of a deep sea drill ship (ad hoc, London).
- Chinese investor in fraud action against former business partners in private air charter business (California Superior Court).
- German equipment manufacturer in breach of contract and intellectual property dispute with California solar panel producer (ICC, London).
- U.S. private equity fund in breach of contract and fraud dispute with former co-investors in Korean credit card joint venture (ICC, Singapore).
- Private equity arm of major U.S. financial institution in four arbitration proceedings relating to corporate control of Brasil Telecom (ICC, Paris).
- Private equity arm of major U.S. financial institution in successfully obtaining a series of injunctions against its former fund manager in Brazil. Int'l Equity Invs. v. Opportunity Equity Partners, 246 F. App'x 73 (2d. Cir. 2007) (affirming injunctions).
- U.S. private equity fund in breach of contract and trademark infringement dispute with former joint venture partner in Chinese shopping mall chain (ICC, Hong Kong).
Perspectives
Recognition
Arbitration: “Future Leaders” (2017-2021); “Recommended” (2022-2025); “Highly Recommended” (2026)
“Firms to Watch” Dispute Resolution: Arbitration — Foreign Firms (2025)
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Columbia Law School, 2005, Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- M.A., International Affairs, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, 2002, with distinction
- B.A., International Relations, Johns Hopkins University, 2001, Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- California
- New York
Activities
- (Former) Ambassador of the ICC Commission on the Belt and Road Initiative
- Guest Lecturer, Tsinghua University International Arbitration and Dispute Settlement (IADS) Program
- Adjunct Professor, UC Hastings College of the Law
- Regional Ambassador, HKIAC HK45
- Member, Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center (SVAMC)
- Member, International Bar Association (IBA)
- Member, American Bar Association (ABA), Section of International Law
- Member, International Law Council of the California State Bar Association