Recognized by Chambers and Who's Who Legal as a leading international arbitration lawyer, Anton Ware acts as counsel and advocate for private sector companies, sovereign states, and government-owned entities in commercial and investment treaty arbitration proceedings around the world, with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region. He also regularly sits as arbitrator in international arbitration cases and is listed on the panel of arbitrators of numerous arbitral institutions in Asia.
Mr. Ware is "a widely acclaimed advocate" (Who's Who Legal: Arbitration, Future Leaders 2018) who clients praise as "a very detail-oriented, experienced lawyer" with "a remarkable ability to stay calm even in the most tense situations" and who is "excellent at cross-examination" (Who's Who Legal: Arbitration, Future Leaders 2021). Clients also praise Mr. Ware as a “humble and knowledgeable” lawyer, who is “quick to respond to [client] requests” and who “actively helps to resolve difficulties and challenges” (Chambers Greater China Region 2024).
Based in Shanghai, China, Mr. Ware speaks and reads Mandarin Chinese and regularly advises clients on all aspects of avoiding and resolving China-related disputes. He recently served as an Ambassador of the ICC Commission on the Belt and Road Initiative (a body dedicated to promoting mediation and arbitration of disputes arising from BRI projects).
In addition to his arbitration practice, Mr. Ware also has extensive experience in U.S. litigation and anti-corruption investigation matters.
Mr. Ware regularly speaks on international arbitration topics and is a guest lecturer for the International Arbitration and Dispute Settlement (IADS) Program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. He previously taught international commercial arbitration at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
Mr. Ware earned his JD 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
- 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).
- U.S. metals company in successfully resolving breach of contract dispute with Chinese metals company (CIETAC, Beijing).
- Chinese metals conglomerate in successfully resolving investment dispute with U.S. mineral development company (ICC, Hong Kong).
- 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).
- 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
Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR: Arbitration (2020-2023)
"Future Leaders" Arbitration (2017-2021)
Credentials
Education
- Abogado (law degree), 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
- 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
- Arbitrator of Record, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)
- Arbitrator, Korea International Commercial Arbitration Commission (KCAB)
- Arbitrator, Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)
- Arbitrator, Hangzhou Arbitration Commission (HAC)
- Regional Ambassador, 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