Orrick Names Two Partners in Tokyo


2 minute read | January.17.2025

  • Orrick’s team in Japan has promoted two partners, continuing the firm’s focus on tech and energy in Japan.
  • Andrew Hughes is part of Orrick’s Energy & Infrastructure team, and Anri Nakamoto is part of the Intellectual Property team. Both are based in Tokyo.

Orrick’s New Tokyo Partners

  • Andrew Hughes leads the project finance practice in Tokyo, with a focus on Japanese energy project and data center financings, corporate PPA agreements, tax credit transfers and cross-border energy investments.
  • He has lived in Tokyo for nearly 20 years and is training to run his first marathon this year to support our pro bono client, the Japan Association for Refugees.
  • He is fluent in Japanese and enjoys exploring Japan.

Andrew said: “I am extremely honored to be a partner in Orrick’s Energy & Infrastructure team in Tokyo. Orrick’s Tokyo team has a unique ability to be a ‘one stop shop’ for renewable energy projects in Japan and for Japanese clients investing overseas, including in the U.S. and Southeast Asia, When combined with the strong connections to Orrick’s Asia-Pacific and global energy practices, including for offshore wind, corporate PPA, and investment advice, makes Orrick a perfect platform to develop my practice and support our clients. I am genuinely excited to work with the team to continue to strengthen and grow our renewable energy practice in Tokyo and the broader APAC region.”

  • Anri Nakamoto represents Japanese clients in high-value U.S. intellectual property litigation as well as global clients with needs in Japan.
  • He has been instrumental in achieving major victories for clients in a range of tech areas, including printed circuit board, Wi-Fi, x-ray irradiation, semiconductor wafer testing, digital image processing and xerography. 
  • Anri’s litigation, licensing and due diligence work in financing and M&A matters also covers a broad range of technologies such as artificial intelligence, musical instruments, autonomous driving, Fintech, electric vehicles, auto/video coding, telecommunications, 3D printing, LED, pharmaceuticals and polymer materials.
  • Anri draws on more than a decade of experience as in-house counsel at Japanese global tech companies Panasonic and Hitachi, where he handled IP licensing and litigation matters.

Anri said: “As an intellectual property dispute lawyer, I am passionate about helping Japanese companies protect their innovations. I work closely with Japanese clients to identify critical facts in complex cases and collaborate with my global colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for clients in the most efficient and effective manner. Our team not only knows when and how to convince clients to settle early, we are also always ready to take advantage of our distinguished expertise in courtroom practice to win.”