Max Gorostiza Perez Hess is an accomplished attorney and civil rights advocate with extensive experience in law and social justice. He earned his J.D. cum laude from Cornell Law School, where he served as Managing Editor of the Cornell International Law Journal, and completed his undergraduate studies summa cum laude at the University of Washington. His international perspective was shaped through the DAAD Scholar program in Germany and exchange studies, giving him a unique global outlook on legal and human rights issues.

Throughout his distinguished legal career, Max has held leadership positions at several prestigious law firms, including serving as Counsel at TFH Legal in Atlanta and as a Shareholder at Taylor, Feil, Harper, Lumsden & Hess, P.C. His professional experience spans from major firms like Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison in San Francisco to Chadbourne & Parke in New York, and includes a federal clerkship with the Honorable Sam D. Johnson at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He maintains bar admissions in California, Georgia, and New York.

Max’s commitment to social justice and human rights has earned him numerous recognitions, including the 2024 MLK Justice Leadership Award, the 2024 Outstanding Georgia Citizen proclamation, and the 2022 Human Rights Award from Church Women United Inc. He has served as Interim Executive Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and remains deeply involved in civil rights organizations, voting rights advocacy, and racial justice initiatives. His legal activism includes organizing amicus briefs in landmark cases like Romer v. Evans and Lawrence v. Texas, and serving as a plaintiff in Georgia’s voter ID requirement challenge.

Beyond his legal practice, Max is actively engaged in community leadership and interfaith work, serving in various capacities at Episcopal churches in Georgia and New York. He participates in numerous organizations focused on social justice, including Fair Fight Action, the NAACP, and various initiatives supporting voting rights, racial justice, and human dignity. His work spans from local community organizing to international human rights advocacy through the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, demonstrating his commitment to creating positive change at every level of society.