Bio
I'm a lawyer and advisor with over 25 years of experience supporting creative professionals, founders, and the companies they’ve built. My practice blends legal insight, business acumen and industry expertise shaped by decades at the center of creative business.
Legal Background
I was a Law Clerk in the Southern District of New York, and thereafter a litigation associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. I then spent nearly a decade practicing entertainment law in New York, with a focus on film, advertising, theatre, publishing, and ultimately fashion.
In 2003, I founded my independent law firm Pearce LLP. Among my early clients were Alexander McQueen—whom I represented in the sale of his company to the Gucci Group—and Nicolas Ghesquière, whose engagement was the basis for Gucci Group's acquisition of Balenciaga. I later became a Director of Balenciaga.
My practice currently serves an international clientele of creatives and founder-led businesses. I'm fluent in French and work between New York and Paris.
Leadership & Coaching
In addition to legal practice, I’m certified as a leadership coach by Columbia University. I support founders and creative executives in navigating growth, transitions and decision-making in their most critical transactions.
Affiliations
• Director, Catholic Guardian Services, an NYC non-profit serving underpriveleged chilren and families ($100M annual budget)
• Member, National Arts Club (est. 1898)
Education
• Columbia University School of Law, J.D
• Columbia Teachers College, Certification in Leadership Coaching
• Brown University, B.A. (inc. Université de Lyon II)
“Fashion’s 50 Most Powerful: … Pearce is the business mind behind some of fashion’s biggest deals.”