CHRISTOPHER L. PEREZ specializes in all aspects of the firm’s practice at Donaldson Callif Perez, including representing independent filmmakers through development, financing, production, rights clearance, and distribution. He serves as counsel to writers, pod-cast producers, radio personalities, museums, and foundations, as well as Film Independent, which produces the Spirit Awards.
He has also been a leader on several of the firm’s advocacy projects, including the landmark triennial Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) exemptions secured for filmmakers since 2009. Chris also sits on the Board of Directors for the International Documentary Association.
Prior to joining DCP, Chris worked for California Lawyers for the Arts, Technicolor, and the Cyberlaw Clinic at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School. He has lectured on production, distribution, financing, and clearance issues at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing, China; the UCLA Producers Program; USC Gould School of Law; the USC School of Cinematic Arts; UC Irvine; CalArts; the School of Visual Arts; Columbia College Chicago; and other institutions. He has also participated in mentor programs for the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), the International Documentary Association, Film Independent, the Sundance Institute, and other arts organizations.
Chris attended the USC Gould School of Law, where he was active with the Latino Law Students Association and the Public Interest Law Foundation. He attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate, studying Film Studies and American Culture and working on several student films. He currently serves as Co-President of the Board of Directors for the International Documentary Association. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Maria, two children, Emery and Jack, and Bill Paxton, their dog.
