Partner, Donaldson Callif Perez

Chris specializes in all aspects of the firm’s practice, including representing independent producers and production companies through development, financing, production, rights clearance and distribution. He has helped hundreds of productions secure the E&O insurance necessary to distribute their films and has established himself as an advocate for artists’ rights. In addition to representing filmmakers, Chris serves as counsel to writers, podcast producers, radio personalities, museums and foundations.

Chris regularly lectures on production, distribution, financing, and clearance issues at various law schools and producing programs around the world and regularly contributes op-ed pieces for publications including the Daily Journal, LA Lawyer and Realscreen. Chris is also co-author of the 5th Edition of Clearance & Copyright, the industry’s leading book on rights clearances in film and television. He is often asked to provide expert authority on to entertainment law, copyright, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge legal issues by various podcasts and publications, including The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and Forbes.

Chris has also been a leader on several of the firm’s advocacy projects since 2008, including the landmark Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) exemptions secured for filmmakers, for which he was recognized as one of California Lawyer’s “Attorneys of the Year.” He has been recognized for several other prestigious awards by Variety, California Lawyer and U.S. News.

Chris graduated from the University of Michigan, where he produced, directed, and wrote several student films. He earned his JD at the USC Gould School of Law, where he remains actively engaged with the Latino Law Students Association.

Prior to working with Donaldson Callif Perez, Chris worked for California Lawyers for the Arts, Technicolor, and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School.

Chris serves as a board member for the International Documentary Association and on the Advisory Board for the Generative AI Initiative of the Archival Producers Alliance.

Chris lives in Los Angeles with his wife Maria, his two children Emery and Jack, and their dog Bill Paxton.