The Speaker
Judge Cristina Perez, Speaker
Cristina informs and inspires audiences across the nation by integrating her professional experience and life lessons into compelling stories and practical advice for diverse audiences. She's a compassionate yet straight-shooting speaker and an engaging MC who educates professionals and students alike at award ceremonies, conferences, and other events. The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Cristina grew up with American peers and watched her parents struggle with racism as they adapted to U.S. culture and learned English. She brings the perspective gained from growing up with this dual cultural vantage point to topics as varied as cultural diversity, careers and relationships. In all of these, she champions self-empowerment and strong personal identities. In a Syndicated Network Television Association survey, Cristina ranked second to Oprah Winfrey as one of the most trustworthy, influential people on television. Cristina is now booking speaking engagements for 2014-15 and beyond. Read on to learn more about Cristina's messages for her three most frequent audiences. For Women: It's All About the Balancing Act While Cristina is an esteemed attorney, television personality, author and businesswoman, she's also the mother of a young daughter and the aunt of a teenage niece, and she can't list many honors that mean more to her than the opportunity to mentor other women. She addresses collegiate and professional groups at conferences and seminars, distilling complex topics into engaging stories and practical advice on family, career, and life. Her most requested topics include:
For Young People: Stand Up and Be Heard (And Don’t Forget to Laugh) In a world that gives mixed messages to high school and college students, Cristina knows what she stands for — trust, forgiveness, loyalty, community, hard work, and self-empowerment — and she knows how to translate her message into sound advice to young award winners, scouting groups, high-school and college students. She speaks frankly and without judgment to young people about age-appropriate topics including the realities and rewards of the road to success and the challenges and joys of dating, friendship, and marriage. She's not afraid to address complex issues that young people contend with daily such as body image, negotiating boundaries, and dealing with conflicting expectations from society and families. Cristina shows high school and college students how to navigate these high-stakes balancing acts with the best weapons she has: poise, humility, and a great sense of humor. (She might even tell you an embarrassing story or two—like the one about how she found out, after breaking up with her future husband, that he was still playing golf every week with her father.) Her talks the following topics have earned her thousands of youthful fans and followers, who continue to tune into Cristina's social media channels for advice long after she leaves campus:
For Attorneys: Take Charge for a More Just Society As a long-time attorney and host of multiple television courtroom shows including the three-time Emmy-winning show Cristina’s Court (FOX), Cristina considers it a privilege to help litigants work out the details of their lives. She champions diversity in the legal profession and advocates for the rights of all people, especially children. As the daughter of immigrants, she takes a hard look at how U.S. immigration policies affect young people. Speaking to legal groups at conferences, law schools, and other venues, Cristina addresses a range of topics including:
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Speaker Bio
A multi-faceted woman, Cristina Perez is a successful lawyer, three-time Emmy Award winning television personality, radio host, entrepreneur/business owner, national author and columnist, and devoted mother and wife. The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Cristina was born in New York. Growing up, she lived in many areas ranging from one of the poorest neighborhoods of New York City, to the big city of Guadalajara, Mexico, to the border town of San Ysidro, California to Hartford, Connecticut, and then back to California, which she has now called home for over twenty years.
As a young girl, Cristina was exposed to all walks of life and cultures. She watched her parents struggle with racism, finances, and adapting to the U.S. culture with a foreign language. Cristina learned to speak English around the age of 10 and mastered both languages. She credits her family’s guidance and desire to remain close to their heritage and culture for her personal and professional achievements. Cristina frequently serves as a host and special guest for many television and radio shows. Cristina has served as a special host on TV Guide Network’s Hollywood 411, CNN’s Larry King and Showbiz Tonight (CNN), ExtraTV, Conexion Thalia (ABC Radio Networks), and served as a weekly Co-Host on Radio Univision and W-RADIO 690 AM, just to name a few. In addition, Cristina has served as a columnist for national magazines and Internet based publications and blogs. According to a 2008 Syndicated Network Television Association survey, Cristina ranked as one of the most trustworthy and influential syndicated hosts on television, ranking second behind Oprah Winfrey among adults 18 to 34 years old. Cristina has served as the Los Angeles County Bar Association Spokesperson for its Lawyer Referral and Information Service -- a position formerly held only by The People’s Court Judge Wapner. Cristina was also named as one of “America’s Ten Most Inspirational Women” by Siempre Mujer magazine (special introduction by Hillary Clinton). Cristina received a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier Law School and two Bachelors of Arts degrees from UCLA. She and her family reside in Los Angeles. |