Elizabeth Q. Pearce
Direct Dial: +1.212.777.2040
Direct Fax: +1.212.777.2041
E-mail: pearce@pearcellp.com
Bio
Betsy Pearce founded the law firm Pearce LLP in 2003 and today is among the leading transactional players in the international fashion and luxury goods industries.
Pearce has lead some of the most notable transactions of the decade. Early on Pearce represented Alexander McQueen in the acquisition of his company by the Gucci Group. She represented Nicolas Ghesquière when he was engaged as the marquis-status talent of Balenciaga as part of the Gucci Group’s acquisition strategy for that company. Pearce was then appointed to the Board of Directors of Balenciaga for the initial three years of its development.
Pearce has served as both attorney and advisor to well-known designers when appointed creative director at fashion and luxury companies. Notable engagements include representing Phoebe Philo and later Hannah Macgibbon at Chloe, Tomas Maier at Bottega Veneta, Kris Van Assche at Christian Dior, Christopher Bailey at Burberry, and Lars Nilsson at Nina Ricci and Gianfranco Ferré.
Her knowledge of the industry is well known. Press coverage o has been a constant, both in news and fashion publications. Pearce has shared her expertise with aspiring professionals including though speaking engagements by invitation of each of Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School.
A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Law School, Pearce worked in management consulting before switching gears to a legal career, first at Cravath, Swaine & Moore and then at entertainment firms Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz and Levine, Plotkin & Menin. In 2003 she established her boutique practice, Pearce LLP, and Pearce Strategic followed thereafter.
Betsy is fluent in French and resides in New York City, dividing her professional time between her office in New York and Europe.