Donaldson Callif Law Firm Promotes Chris Perez to Name Partner (EXCLUSIVE)
Attorney Chris Perez has been promoted to name partner at the law firm of Donaldson Callif, a prominent player in documentary and independent film and TV production.
The Beverly Hills-based firm has changed its name to Donaldson Callif Perez.
“Chris has been a key member of our team and instrumental in the firm’s growth over the past twelve years,” partner Lisa Callif said. “It feels absolutely right to add his name to our firm name and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Founded in 2008, DCP’s specialties include advising clients in all aspects of development, production, clearance and distribution matters.
Perez joined the firm in 2009 and became a partner in 2015. He focuses on representing independent filmmakers through the development, financing, production, rights clearance and distribution process. His most recent projects include such prominent features and docuseries as “Tiger King: Murder, Madness and Mayhem,” “The Vow,” “Bombshell,” “The Farewell,” “The Last Dance,” “Knock Down the House” and “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal.”
Perez has led many of the firm’s advocacy projects with partner Michael Donaldson (who is also general counsel to Film Independent), including successful efforts to expand fair use exemptions for filmmakers under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act rules. The pair were recognized for this groundbreaking work as part of Variety’s 2019 Legal Impact Report.
“Having worked with Michael and Lisa for the last twelve years has been life-changing,” Perez said. “As a firm, we have set out to preserve the diverse set of perspectives that are at the heart of the independent film and television community and which are essential to a healthy, vibrant community. I couldn’t be happier to continue building this practice with such a talented group of attorneys and support staff.”
Perez is also active as an educator and mentor. He’s been a lecturer on entertainment industry legal issues for UCLA’s Producers Program, USC School of Cinema, New York’s School of Visual Arts and Columbia College Chicago.
Perez has served as a board member of the International Documentary Association since 2019. He is the co-author of the upcoming fifth edition of “Clearance & Copyright,” a rights clearance primer widely used by industry pros and film schools.
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