Legal counsel for creative professionals and founder-led businesses
As a lawyer and advisor, I help creative individuals and founder-led businesses protect their work, capture opportunities, and secure what matters—ownership, clarity, and long-term value.
For 25 years I’ve represented founders, creatives leaders and executives in their most important transactions. I represent individual interests in high-stakes transitions—from first funding to final sale. My clients receive legal precision with strategic insight into creative industries and founder dynamics.
I also advise founders and their potential investors in the negotiating process, identifying critical issues and developing alignment that sets up the partnership for success.
For Creative Leaders & Founders >
For creative professionals, I bring decades of experience to negotiating their creative services and other critical agreements.
For Founders, I have specific skills and expertise dedicated to representing their personal and business interests, protecting their IP and helping ensure that they exit on their own terms.
I help investors secure successful partnerships through alignment with the founder on critical issues - and addressing non-alignment - before signing the deal.
I increase motivation and retention of the founder, the most valuable and least secure asset, by creating incentives which are both effective and investor-friendly.
I studied at Brown University and Columbia Law School before starting my law career with a Clerkship in the Southern District of NY. Thereafter I served as a litigation associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, followed by ten years as an entertainment lawyer before focusing on fashion and luxury. I founded Pearce LLP in 2003. The practice maintains a business presence in NYC and Paris, and I am fluent in French.
“Imagine you’re a designer with talent dripping from your fingertips - Gucci wants you. Prada wants you. You want Elizabeth Pearce...” “…the fashion lawyer extraordinaire…”