Bio

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 practiced for nearly a decade at two New York City entertainment law firms. My practice included film, advertising, theatre, publishing and I ultimately focussed on fashion.

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 in as the key talent and basis for Gucci Group's acquisition of Balenciaga. I then became a Director of Balenciaga.

Over the past 20 years, I have represented over 50 company founders, many having built successful brands under their own name.

Clients engage me as legal counsel and frequently as an advisor for strategic and business expertise.

Separate from my legal training, I am Certified by Columbia University as a Professional Coach. My clients are typically founders and creative executives.

My legal practices has always served an international clientele. Based in New York, I am fluent in French and maintain a business presence in Paris.

Director, Catholic Guardian Services, among NYC’s largest non-profit service provider for underserved children and familes.

Plum Alley, an NYC private investment platform for women-founded companies.

Salmagundi, NYC, one of the country’s oldest arts clubs.

Columbia Law School, J.D. 1991; Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Human Rights Law Review. Human Rights Internship, Nairobi, Kenya.

Columbia University Teachers’ College, Columbia Coaching Certification Program, Certification awarded 2020.

Brown University, B.A. 1986; summa cum laude; Women's Varsity Ice Hockey Team. L’Universite de Lyon II, 1985.