Anthony J. Luna

Anthony Luna advises on corporate and commercial matters, with a focus on (i) cross-border M&A, (i) venture capital transactions, and (iii) technology law, and AI governance. He has experience in technology and data-driven matters and maintains a strong interest in emerging fields such as AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and space as part of his practice.

He brings a dual perspective uncommon in the Japanese legal market, having served both as an M&A partner at a top-tier international firm and as an award-winning General Counsel and senior executive at a major global technology company.

Anthony began his legal career in California before relocating to Japan, where he practiced with a major international law firm in Silicon Valley and Tokyo, representing emerging-growth companies, venture investors, and multinational corporations in cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and commercial transactions. He also completed a secondment to Itochu Corporation’s Legal Department, supporting international projects and investments across multiple jurisdictions.

He later joined Jones Day’s Tokyo office, where he served as a partner in the corporate and M&A group and advised Japanese and international MNC’s on global transactions and strategic matters.

Immediately before joining southgate, Anthony served as Senior Operating Officer, Board Member, and General Counsel of IBM Japan, Ltd., overseeing all legal, IP, regulatory, and security functions and leading a department of approximately 45 legal professionals. He handled significant litigation, restructuring, cybersecurity incidents, and high-value technology transactions and served as sponsor executive for IBM Japan’s AI Ethics Team.

Anthony is an adjunct professor at Keio University Law School, where he teaches courses on AI and legal trends and startup and venture law.

• 2025 |“Lawyers’ Evolving Role in a Fast-Changing World,” feature article by Anthony Luna in Japan Business Law Review, Vol. 25 No. 3
• 2022 | Attorney’s Magazine Feature on IBM Legal Department
• 2022 | Business Lawyer Feature on IBM Japan Legal & IP Team

• “Venture Capital Investments – What Every In-House Counsel Should Know!”, Co-presenter with Eric Marcks co-hosted by southgate and the Japan In-House Counsel Network (JICN), 25 November 2025 (Tokyo)
• “Privacy and Accountability in the Age of AI: Building a Responsible Digital Future,” Panelist presenter at an event hosted by Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL) and Rakuten, September 24, 2025 (Tokyo)
• “AI Policy & Digital Society — Public-Private Cooperation and International AI Governance,” Roundtable participant at Business Software Alliance Conference, 5 June 2025 (Tokyo)
• “In-House Excellence: Professional and Personal Growth” Mentorship Seminar, Speaker at event hosted by Japan In-House Counsel Network at IBM Japan Hakozaki Office, 27 May 2025 (Tokyo)
• “Market Spotlight: Cross-Border M&A Trends,” Moderator and panelist at the Japan In-House Legal Summit 2025, April 16, 2025 (Tokyo)
• Emerging AI Governance Challenges,” Panelist for a session presented to the Board of Directors and executive team of SEGA SAMMY Holdings Inc., 16 January 2025 (Tokyo)
• “Bridging the Gap: AI Regulation and Global Privacy Initiatives,” Panelist presenter and an event hosted by Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL) at the 62nd Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum, November 28, 2024 (Tokyo)
• “Updates on Compliance Programs and U.S. DOJ Compliance Guidelines, Including AI Provisions,” Panelist at the Sojitz Worldwide Compliance Summit, 23 October 2024 (Tokyo)
• “Best Practices for Managing Cross-Border and Overseas Disputes,” Panelist at the GC Summit, 28 September 2023 (Tokyo)
• “M&A for In-House Counsels,” Co-presenter with Eric Marcks at an event hosted by the Japan In-House Counsel Network, 16 September 2021 (Tokyo)

Individual

• 2025 | Individual Award | Chambers & Partners Global Market Leaders General Counsels
• 2025 | Individual Award | Legal 500 GC Powerlist
• 2024 | Individual Award | Legal 500 GC Powerlist
• 2023 | Individual Award | Legal 500 GC Powerlist
• 2020 | Individual Award | The In-House Community – In-House Counsel of the Year (Asia)
• 2019 | Individual Award | ALB Japan In-House Lawyer of the Year
• 2018 | Individual Award | ALB Top 25 In-House Counsel (Asia)
• 2010 | American Chamber of Commerce in Japan | Leader of the Year

Team (while under his leadership)

• 2025 | Team Award | LAW.COM Asia In-House Legal Team of the Year
• 2025 | Team Award | Japan In-House Lawyers Association (JILA)Award
• 2025 | Team Award | ALB – Japan Technology, Media and Telecommunications Team of the Year
• 2023 | Team Award | In-House Community Award, TMT Asia
• 2023 | Team Award | ALB Top 15 In-house Team (Asia)
• 2021 | Team Award | ALB Top 15 In-house Team (Asia)
• 2020 | Team Award | The In-House Community — Practice Team of the Year – Integration
• 2020| Team Award | ALB Japan In-House Team of the Year
• 2020 | Team Award | ALB – Japan Technology, Media and Telecommunications Team of the Year
• 2019 | Team Award | ALB Japan In-House Team of the Year
• 2018 | Team Award | ALB Japan In-House Team of the Year
• 2017 | Team Award | ALB Japan In-House Team of the Year
• 2017 | Team Award | ALB – Japan Technology, Media and Telecommunications Team of the Year

• Keio University Law School: Adjunct Professor teaching “AI and Legal Trends” (2024 to present) and “Start-up Company and Venture Capital Law” (September 2018–Present)
• Japan In-House Counsel Network: Co-President 2024-2025 | Board Member since 2019
• Association of Japan Chief Legal Officers: Founding Board Member since 2020
• IBM Building Global Leaders Program: Selected as an executive trainer to develop top senior global legal talent (2023–24)
• US-Japan Venture Forum in Silicon Valley: Co-organizer and moderator (2002–2003)
• American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ): Energy & Environmental Committee Co-Chair (2009–13); Information, Communications & Technology Committee (2013–present)