Global law firm Freshfields has announced that Pieter de Ganon has joined its dispute resolution practice as counsel in Tokyo, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to the Japanese market and its global technology disputes offering.
de Ganon joins from Arnold & Porter’s San Francisco office, bringing more than a decade of experience in complex commercial and investor-State arbitrations, as well as in cross-border litigation and investigations.
and States in high-stakes disputes, including acting for Toshiba in ICC arbitrations arising from the landmark sale of its US$18bn memory chip business, and for the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Bulgaria in separate ICSID arbitrations in the energy sector.
de Ganon has particular expertise in IP and licensing disputes across a range of technology-intensive sectors, including artificial intelligence, biologics, agricultural biotechnology, next generation energy storage, advanced materials, and semiconductor fabrication.
A fluent Japanese speaker, de Ganon holds a PhD in Japanese economic history from Princeton University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Following two federal clerkships — in the Southern District of New York and on the Ninth Circuit — he spent seven years at Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyoand SiliconValley offices before co‑managing Arnold & Porter’s Japan Practice Group.
He also taught IP lawat Hitotsubashi University’s Graduate School of Law during his time in Tokyo. His extensive Japan‑related experience positions him strongly to support Japanese and multinational clients navigating complex cross‑border disputes, particularly in Asia and the US.
Freshfields’ Head of Asia International Arbitration Group, Nicholas Lingard, said, “Pieter’s experience practicing in Tokyo and the US, combined with his technical knowledge, IP expertise, and bilingualfluency, make him an exceptional addition to our team.”
He adds, “His arrival reflects our continued commitment to the Japanese market and our investment in building the strongest international arbitration bench in Asia, one of the very few that offers specialist IP arbitration capability.”
Managing Partner of Freshfields’ Tokyo Office, Takeshi Nakao, said, “Pieter brings a rare combination of Japanese language capability and extensive experience representing Japanese companies in complex cross-border disputes. His deep understanding of the commercial, regulatory, and strategic challenges faced by Japanese corporates operating in the US and other international markets allows him to offer highly practical and culturally attuned advice.”
Further highlighting that, “Pieter’s arrival further enhances our alreadyrobust andcomprehensiveJapancross-border practice, strengthening the support we provide to clients navigating increasingly sophisticated global risks.”
Freshfields’ Global Co-Head of International Arbitration Group, Noiana Marigo, said, “We aredelighted to welcome Pieter to our market-leading international arbitration practice. As cross‑border disputes continue to increase in complexity, especially those involving high-value technology, Pieter’s arrival strengthens our existing offering to support Asia-based clients with Japan‑ and US‑related dispute resolution needs, with the two markets more commercially interconnected than ever, especially through the California tech ecosystem.”
