Awards and Recognitions

“The ‘small but mighty’ team at southgate is known for ’delivering exceptional work’ in its M&A and venture capital practice, approaching cross-border and other transactions with the perspective of an international firm.”
(Legal 500 Asia Pacific – 2025)

“southgate . . . have the passion and commitment to ensure that their client has a fair and successful outcome.”
(Chambers Asia-Pacific – 2025)

“The team is excellent. . . . They guided us with confidence, looked out for our best interests and helped us navigate tricky, tense negotiations.”
(Chambers Asia-Pacific – 2024)

southgate’s “unique superpower is how to navigate the gray areas and unwritten ‘guidelines’ in Japanese business and culture.”
(Legal 500 Asia Pacific – 2024)

“Lawyers were responsive at all hours and had a global knowledge of deal terms and custom. They were a pleasure to work with.”
(Legal 500 Asia Pacific – 2023)

“[E]xcellent, top-quality advice with a quick turnaround . . . . They really care about their clients and go the extra mile.”
(Chambers Asia-Pacific – 2021)

“Very experienced, closely knit team, very hands-on.”
(Legal 500 Asia Pacific – 2022)

“[A]n excellent firm. . . . It combines the expertise and experience of a large international firm with the hands-on approach of a boutique.”
(Chambers Asia-Pacific – 2021)

“southgate provides ‘outstanding service . . . excellent bilingual capabilities [and] fantastic value for money’.”
(Chambers Asia-Pacific – 2020)

“southgate is a first-rate law firm”
(The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – 2019)

“The boutique is ‘genuinely excellent’ at cross-border M&A.”
(The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – 2018)

Chambers Asia-Pacific

Ranked in Corporate/M&A: Domestic category in Chambers Asia-Pacific guide: 2018-25; two lawyers recognized

Chambers Global

Ranked in Corporate/M&A: Domestic category in Chambers Global guide: 2019-25; two lawyers recognized

Legal 500

Ranked in Corporate and M&A (2017-25) and TMT (2023-25) in the Independent Local Firms category in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide; five lawyers recognized

Asian Legal Business –
ASIA

ALB featured southgate in its 2017 “Firms to Watch,” one of only 15 law firms in Asia to be so honored (and the first Japanese firm ever to receive this honor).

Asian Legal Business –
JAPAN

Repeatedly recognized at the ALB Japan Law Awards for our excellence in cross-border transactional work:
– “Boutique Law Firm of the Year” (2019)
– “Rising Law Firm of the Year” (2023, inaugural recipient)
– “Transactional Boutique Law Firm of the Year” (2025, inaugural recipient)

Asian Legal Business –
JAPAN

ALB recognized southgate as 1 of 10 “Firms to Watch” in Japan in its inaugural ranking in 2022.