What Donaldson Callif Perez does

Donaldson Callif Perez LLP is a boutique entertainment law firm headquartered in Los Angeles that represents independent producers and production companies in the film, television, and web-based content industries. The firm provides legal counsel across the full production lifecycle—development, production, distribution, and financing—with particular specialization in rights clearances and intellectual property work, most notably in fair use, trademark, and personal rights matters. DCP has three named partners (Michael Donaldson, Lisa Callif, and Dale Nelson), each recognized in Lawdragon's 2026 "500 Leading Global IP Lawyers," and the firm claims over 100 years of collective attorney experience in entertainment law.

The firm operates as a traditional professional services practice, generating revenue through engagement-based legal representation with pricing that is not publicly disclosed. Its client portfolio includes high-profile independent releases such as The Apprentice, Blackberry, Sorry Baby, Pee-wee as Himself, Kelce, The Wedding Banquet, and Moonage Daydream. DCP does not build technology products; its core deliverable is specialized legal expertise delivered by partners and associates directly to clients.

Beyond client representation, DCP has invested in brand-building and thought leadership through the Legal Vision podcast (a pro bono collaboration with filmmaker Damien Swaby), Forbes contributor articles by firm attorneys, and active social media presence on LinkedIn and Instagram. The firm has positioned itself at the intersection of entertainment law and emerging technology issues, notably through partner commentary on AI-IP matters such as the Getty Images–OpenAI agreement.

Name

Donaldson Callif Perez

Legal name

Donaldson Callif Perez LLP

Website

https://donaldsoncallif.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Donaldson Callif Perez LLP is a Los Angeles boutique entertainment law firm representing independent film, television, and web-based producers, specializing in rights clearances, fair use, trademark, and intellectual property legal services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Legal Services Revenue: Law firm providing entertainment legal services to independent producers and production companies, including development, production, distribution, and financing-related legal counsel.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Donaldson Callif Perez is a boutique entertainment law firm that provides legal representation to independent producers and production companies of film, television, and web-based content. Its core services cover development, production, distribution, and financing-related legal work, with a particular specialization in rights clearances and intellectual property work—specifically fair use, trademark, and personal rights matters. The firm is structured as a limited liability partnership headquartered in Los Angeles.

Product overview

Donaldson Callif Perez is a boutique law firm that operates as a single, unified legal services practice rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The firm provides entertainment legal services centered on two core offerings: comprehensive legal representation for independent producers and production companies (covering development, production, distribution, and financing), and specialized rights clearances and intellectual property work (including fair use, trademark, and personal rights). The firm has also launched Legal Vision Podcast, a pro bono educational initiative exploring entertainment industry legal frameworks. With over 100 years of collective experience, DCP has established itself as a leader in rights clearances and independent production legal services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Entertainment Legal Services Legal representation for independent producers and production companies of film, television, and web-based content, covering development, production, distribution, and financing matters.
• Rights Clearances and Intellectual Property Legal Services Specialized legal work in rights clearances, fair use, trademark, and personal rights matters for film, television, and web-based content creators.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Damien SwabyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono collaboration on Legal Vision podcast series, exploring key legal issues in the entertainment industry for independent filmmakers, production companies, and legal professionals. Damien Swaby serves as filmmaker and podcast host/producer.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Latham & Watkins: Global full-service law firm with a substantial entertainment, media, and IP practice serving major studios, financiers, and tech companies. Represents the larger end of the market that competes for premium entertainment mandates.
• Reed Smith: International law firm with a sizable entertainment and media practice serving film, TV, music, and digital content clients. Competes with boutique entertainment firms for IP, clearance, and production legal work.
• Ziffren Brittenham LLP: One of the largest entertainment law firms in Los Angeles, representing major studios, financiers, and high-profile individuals. Competes with DCP for top-tier entertainment representation but operates at significantly greater scale and breadth.

Direct peers

• Hansen Jacobson: Los Angeles entertainment law firm with a long-standing focus on motion picture, television, and documentary representation. Directly comparable boutique serving producers with development, production, and clearance work.
• Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz: Prominent New York and Los Angeles entertainment, media, and IP law firm with a strong independent film and clearance practice. Directly comparable in serving indie producers with rights clearance and intellectual property counsel.
• Greenberg Glusker: Major Los Angeles-based full-service law firm with a deeply established entertainment, IP, and clearance practice serving film, TV, and media clients. Direct competitor for entertainment IP and independent producer representation work in the LA market.
• Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern: Los Angeles entertainment law firm representing talent, producers, and financiers across film and television. Overlaps with DCP on entertainment transactions and indie producer representation.
• Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert: Beverly Hills entertainment and IP boutique known for clearance, fair use, and rights work on behalf of independent filmmakers and studios. Closely comparable in practice mix, boutique scale, and clearance specialization.
• Myman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light: Los Angeles entertainment and business law firm serving motion picture, television, and new media clients with IP, clearance, and production counsel. Direct competitor in the LA indie entertainment legal market.
• Lavely & Singer: Los Angeles entertainment and business litigation firm with strong entertainment transactions and IP practices. Competes for entertainment clients in the LA market with comparable boutique positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/donaldsoncallifperez
• Instagraminstagram.com/dcpfirm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Donaldson Callif Perez