Profile

Chris Matson is among the most seasoned experts in deal-making, contract drafting and legal problem-solving in the film and television industries worldwide. Most recently, before becoming a member of SmithDehn, Chris was Senior Counsel at Netflix. Before that, he was Director of Business Affairs at HBO, Head of Business Affairs and Production at Magnolia Pictures, and Head of Business Affairs at HDNet Films. Chris has also worked in the business affairs department at ITV, the UK's largest commercial television broadcaster. He has a high level of expertise and experience in negotiating, drafting and advising as to all commercial and business affairs aspects of the US, UK and international television and film industries (including development, financing, acquisition, production, distribution and operational). He performs these roles, as well as production legal services, with a hands-on understanding of the TV and film production, financing and distribution processes, including executive producer credits and having studied filmmaking at New York University.