Eric Marcks

Background

About Eric Marcks

Attorney admitted in California and Japan (as a foreign registered lawyer) advising clients on corporate and commercial matters, with a focus on cross-border (inbound and outbound) M&A and venture capital financings. Co-founder of southgate in 2016, a boutique cross-border transactional law firm. southgate is recognized as a top corporate/M&A firm in Japan by Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500, and Asian Legal Business and as a top TMT firm by Legal 500. Part-time lecturer at Keio University Law School since 2016: courses on venture capital (the first ever course on the topic offered by Keio Law School) and on corporate finance/M&A. Wide range of lectures and publications on M&A, representations and warranties insurance, venture capital, and contract drafting. Recognized as a “Leading Individual” in two categories in the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific guide: Corporate and M&A - domestic firms (2019 to 2025), and TMT - domestic firms (2024-25)(the only foreign lawyer at a Japanese firm to receive these distinctions in either category). Ranked among top international lawyers in Japan by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia-Pacific in the category of Corporate/M&A (International)(2019 to 2025), the first lawyer at a domestic firm so recognized. Selected as one of Japan's top 100 lawyers in all disciplines by Asia Business Law Journal's "A-List"(2024). Recognized as a “Notable Practitioner” in the IFLR (2023-24) and as a "Leading Corporate & Commercial Lawyer of the Year - Japan" by Acquisition International (2023), and ranked by Best Lawyers in the categories of Corporate/M&A (2020-2025) and International Business Transactions (2023-2025). Vice Chair of the Cross Border Investment Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.