Mediator Resume

Donaldson Callif Perez, LLP - Founding Partner

Arbitrator, Attorney, Author, Lecturer

Founding Partner, Donaldson Callif Perez, LLP, 2021 - Present; Founding Partner, Donaldson & Callif LLP, 2008 - 2021; Founding Partner, Donaldson & Hart LLP, 1998 - 2006; Founding Partner, Berton & Donaldson, LLP, 1993 - 1998.

Practiced law for over 50 years with more than 30 years of concentrated experience in copyright and entertainment, film, television and Internet. Practice focuses on rendering opinions on Chain of Title and Clearance of creative works for fair use and personal rights. Practice also includes supervising associates working in production, financing and distribution for creative work of all kinds. General Counsel to Film Independent, and served on the executive committee of the Copyright Society of the United States including one term as treasurer. Served on the Advisory Committee for the Documentary Filmmakers Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use. Successfully negotiated with insurance companies to offer fair use riders on the E&O insurance policies which was adopted by all companies offering such policies. Filed, argued, and won three exemptions to the DMCA, on behalf of filmmakers. Served as an expert witness in many cases, including finance and union contract interpretation in addition to distribution disputes.

Served as an International Film & Television Association (IFTA) mediator on many occasions, hearing arguments, reviewing evidence and issuing binding decisions. IFTA arbitration often turns into a mediation for speed since speed of resolution was a primary purpose of setting up the system in the first place. The IFTA system is used for a wide variety of disputes, both domestic and international, arising out of production agreements, motion picture, television and multimedia licensing agreements, financing agreements, film exhibition agreements and sales agency agreements.

I prefer in-person mediations with the parties. The parties are encouraged to state the facts as each side sees them in a short opening brief. When the meeting occurs, the best start is a joint meeting of all hands and a discussion of the facts to establish what they agree on and disagree on regarding the underlying fact. This is followed by meetings with each side separately which becomes shuttle diplomacy. Mediations are best completed in one day. If the mediation is nearing the end of a normal workday, the parties are urged to continue to completion — after all, we came together to reach a settlement.

University of California Berkeley (JD-1967); University of Florida (BS-1961).

Admitted to the Bar: California (1967).

Copyright Society of the United States of America, Former Treasurer and Executive Committee Member; Los Angeles Copyright Society, Former Member, Board of Directors; American Bar Association; Beverly Hills Bar Association, Former Co-Chair, Entertainment Section; Independent Film & Television Alliance (Arbitrator); Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Publications: Author of “Clearance & Copyright: Everything You Need to Know for Film and Television,” Ed. 1,2,3, and co-authored with Lisa Callif the 4th edition. The 5th edition was co-authored with both name partners Lisa Callif and Chris Perez, and was released in late 2022. Co-author with Lisa Callif of “The American Bar Association’s Legal Guide to Independent Filmmaking.” Sole author of “Negotiating for Dummies” Author of “Fearless Negotiating: The Wish Want, Walk Method to Reaching Agreements That Work” Author of “E-Z Legal Guide to Trademarks and Copyrights” Contributing author to “Conversations with Michael Landon” (introduction) Contributing Author to “Independent’s Guide to Film Distribution” Contributing Author to “Moving Images—Legal Standstill? The Film Heritage and its Legal Framework” Contributing Author to “Selling for Dummies” Contributing Author to “Statements of Best Practices in Fair Use of Dance-related Materials” Contributing Author to “The Documentary Film Makers Handbook” Contributing Author to “The Art of Film Funding: Alternative Financing Concepts” Contributing author to “Thriving in the Workplace for Dummies” Author of several magazine articles; quoted in many more Speaking Engagements: Guest lecturer at Yale University Law School (2021), Harvard Law School (2017 & 2018), University of California at Berkeley Law School (2008), Stanford Law School (2008), University of Southern California Law School (2015), University of California at Los Angeles Law School (2014), American University Washington College of Law (2011), Columbia College Chicago (2011 & 2015), Moscow Film Academy (2015), NMIM Institute of Intellectual Property Studies in Mumbai (2019), and many more. Spoke in Havana, Cuba about fair use’s applications in Cuba at the University of Havana Law School in 2016. Has lectured to the State Bar Associations of California, Texas and New York. In 2016, gave a two-week-long workshop on international finance and distribution in Zimbabwe for the American Film Showcase program of the United States Department of State. Repeat speaker annually from 2016 at the SXSW film festival, with the most recent seminar in 2026. Talks at Berlinale festival in Berlin, Germany for fair use, the Entertainment Law Institute of Texas, two years for the Austin Copyright Society. Provided seminars on copyright to private companies such as Alamo Drafthouse, Newsbeat Social and many other film makers. Mentor for Film Independent’s Global Media Makers Film Fellows in 2016, 2017, and 2022 regarding finance and distribution of films and television programs plus clearance issues.

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: $4,000.00 Study Rate: $595.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: 1 Days Comment:

English

United States of America

Los Angeles, California