Chris L. 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.
Awards and Honors
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” (2019)
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® Business Edition (2017)
Inspirational Alumnus Award – USC Gould Latinx Law Students Association, 2025
Dealmakers Impact Report – Variety, 2023, 2024
Hollywood’s New Leaders – Variety, 2015
Legal Impact Report – Variety, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025
Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars– 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Attorney of the Year – California Lawyer, 2016
Recent Projects
The Apprentice (Gidden Media)
Social Studies (Evergreen Studios)
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (Zipper Bros.)
Jules (Big Beach Productions)
DVF: Woman in Charge (Sutter Road Picture Co)
Charlie Hustle and the Matter of Pete Rose (Zipper Bros.)
Peyton’s Places (Omaha Productions)
Skincare (Jalapeno Goat)
Olympic Highlights (Hartbeat)
American Symphony (Our Time Projects)
Last Week Tonight (Partially Important Productions)
Tiger King (Royal Goode Productions)
The Last Dance (Mandalay Sports Media)
Some Kind of Heaven (Los Angeles Media Fund)
The Social Dilemma (Exposure Labs)
The Vow (The Othrs)
Finding Your Roots (McGee Media)
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (Library Films)
The Comedy Store (Mandalay Sports Media)
Bombshell (A24/BRON Studios)
The Farewell (Big Beach Films)
Blackberry (Zapruder Films)
The Long Game (Mucho Mas Media)
The Redeem Team (MSM/Tollin Productions)
Moonage Daydream (Brett Morgen)
Little Richard: I Am Everything (Bungalow Entertainment)
The U.S. and the Holocaust (Florentine Films)
Notable Clients
9.14 Pictures
Associated Television International
Big Beach Films
Breakwater Studios
Bungalow Entertainment
Film Independent
Firelight Films
Florentine Films
Fourth Floor Productions
Gidalya Pictures
Hartbeat
HiddenLight Media
Industrial Media
IP Corporation
Lady & Bird Films
La Lutta Productions
Los Angeles Media Fund
Motto Pictures
Moxie Films
MSM/Tollin Productions
National Comedy Center
Omaha Productions
Plan B Productions
Radical Media
Scott Sternberg Productions
Smartypants Pictures
Spinning Nancy
Sutter Road Picture Co.
The Ringer/Spotify
XYZ Films.
Zapruder Films
Zipper Bros. Productions