Lives of Consequence
Stuart F. Pierson ’65
Defense Litigator, Morvillo LLP
With 40 years of experience working for a succession of private law firms as well as for the federal government, Stuart F. Pierson ’65 is a highly respected defense lawyer who has successfully represented corporations, executives, political figures and journalists.
After graduating cum laude from Hobart in 1965 and from Duke University School of Law in 1968, Pierson landed a job with the civil rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He spent much of the next two years working in the South as a trial attorney enforcing civil rights laws.
While a Special Assistant U.S. attorney in Washington State in 1974, he successfully argued the federal government’s case that led to a victory for Native Americans in Washington State securing enforcement of fishing rights set forth in mid-1850s treaties with the U.S. government. The landmark “Boldt Decision” made news headlines and the history books, revolutionizing Pacific Northwest fisheries management and improving the lives of Native Americans.
In the mid-1980s, Pierson represented Manuchar Ghobanifer, an Iranian middleman in the Iran Contra affair, as well as former Congressman Charlie Wilson, a controversial member of influential congressional committees associated with defense spending and covert operations. For 15 years, Pierson represented Wilson in various federal investigations regarding issues ranging from the Afghan resistance to Soviet occupation.
Currently a defense litigator at Morvillo LLP, a boutique White Collar litigation law firm, Pierson specializes in Justice Department, Securities and Exchange Commission, congressional and other government investigations as well as federal and state litigation and counseling on the increasing compliance requirements for business organizations. He has been selected as a “Best Lawyer in America” in the area of Criminal Defense by White-Collar Law from 2010 to 2016, and recognized in “DC Super Lawyers,” also in the area of White Collar Law. Prior to joining Morvillo, Pierson was a partner at Troutman Sanders LLP.
Pierson reflects warmly on Hobart and William Smith that provided him with “structure and room to grow.” At HWS, he majored in history and philosophy and was a member of Orange Key and Chimera honor societies. Pierson was a Druid, served as class president, a member of Theta Delta Chi and the Interfraternity Council and played on the football and wrestling teams.