Betsy Pearce
I trained as a management consultant before entering Columbia Law School in 1988. I served as a Federal Court Clerk in New York’s Southern District and then as a litigation associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore.
I transitioned to entertainment law and spent nearly a decade at two New York City entertainment law firms. My practice included film, advertising, theatre, publishing and fashion, where I ultimately focused.
Pearce LLP was founded in 2003. Among my early clients were Alexander McQueen, who I represented in the sale of his company and namesake brand to Gucci Group, and Nicolas Ghesquiere, who I represented as the key talent and basis for Gucci Group's acquisition of Balenciaga. I then became a Director of Balenciaga.
My legal practice has always served an international clientele. Based in New York, I am fluent in French and work between New York and in Paris.
Separate from my legal training, I am Certified by Columbia University as a Leadership Coach. My clients are typically founders and creative executives.
— Director & Executive Committee Member, Catholic Guardian Services, non-profit, $90M annual budget serving NYC’s underpriveleged children and families.
—National Arts Club, the country’s oldest arts club.
—University of Columbia Law School, J.D. 1991.
—Columbia Teachers’ College, Coaching Certification 2020.
— Brown University, B.A. 1986; Women's Varsity Ice Hockey Team. L’Universite de Lyon II, 1985.
“Fashion’s 50 Most Powerful: … Pearce is the business mind behind some of fashion’s biggest deals.”