Cristina Perez is a multi-faceted woman.  She is successful lawyer, Emmy Award winning television personality, radio host, entrepreneur/business owner, national author, columnist, and a 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 has mastered both languages.  Cristina received a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier Law and two Bachelors of Arts degrees from UCLA. 

She credits her family’s guidance and desire to remain close to their heritage and culture for her personal and professional achievements.

In 2006, Cristina made her English-language television debut on Twentieth Television’s first-run syndicated court show “Cristina’s Court.”  In its debut year, the show became the second highest-rated new show in U.S. syndication.  “Cristina’s Court” airs Monday through Friday on the FOX Network, FOX’s MyNetworkTV and its affiliate stations. 

In 2008, “Cristina’s Court” won the first ever Emmy Award for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program.  The show’s win was the first ever for a FOX daytime show.

Cristina was the first television Judge-Host to crossover from Spanish-language to English-language television.  As the first female to have a nationally syndicated Spanish-language network court series, Cristina presided over “La Corte de Familia” (Family Court).  Enormously popular in the U.S., “La Corte de Familia” was Telemundo/NBC's number two daytime show for four straight seasons.  The program also aired internationally in 15 countries.  Prior to that, Cristina made her television debut as the Judge-Host of “La Corte Del Pueblo” (The People's Court) (Telemundo/NBC).

Cristina brings a fresh way of connecting with people.  She is considered the ultimate crossover host, who while being a hip, professional, multicultural woman, always seeks to introduce traditional values into the lives of people young and old.  Cristina does not wear “rubber gloves” in her courtroom which allows her the unique ability to connect with her litigants on a very warm and personal level by sharing her wisdom, background, and moral beliefs with everyone who stands before her.  Consequently, she appeals to young and old audiences everywhere.

Cristina also believes that quality advice is one of the most valuable gifts any parent can give to their child.  Each day she turns to her parent’s wisdom by reflecting on the “dichos” (proverbs) that were passed down to her.  In her debut book, “Living By Los Dichos” (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books), Cristina shares those dichos that have most powerfully influenced her life.  Anyone who is looking for guidance – whether they are about to leave home for college or are about to get married – will find what they are looking for in this book.  “Dichos” transcend age, race, and religion to provide just the right answer at just the right time.  Cristina shows how proudly embracing your roots and staying true to your identity will guide you down the right track.  Dichos have directed Cristina through her toughest challenges and led her to success.

Telemundo Television Network/NBC

Cristina is also a leader in the community and is committed to community service and awareness.  She is an active member and leader of several community and legal organizations.  She has worked to make a difference in her community on every scale. 

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,” “Extra TV,” “Conexion Thalia” (ABC Radio Networks), a co-host of weekly segment on “Afternoon Advice” (Playboy Radio, Sirius Ch. 198) and on Radio UNIVISION and W-RADIO just to name a few.  In addition, Cristina has served as a columnist for national magazines and Internet based publications and blogs.

Simon & Schuster/ATRIA
Cristina is currently 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.  In 2007, Cristina was named as one of “America’s Ten Most Inspirational Women” by Siempre Mujer magazine (special introduction by Hillary Clinton).  In 2005, Cristina was selected as a California’s “Woman of the Year” for her community service and activities and was named one of “America’s Top 10 Latina Advocates” for making the world a better place for women and Latino’s rights, by the national magazine Latino Leaders.