Mary Olive Pierson

Noted Baton Rouge attorney Mary Olive Pierson, affectionately known as "Ollie" or "MOP," died peacefully at home, on September 9, 2024 at the age of 80. She was a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, born on February 11, 1944, and later receiving her entire education at the Capitol City schools, St. Joseph's Academy and LSU, where she earned a bachelor's in accounting and a law degree. When she stepped out of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1970, she was only one of seven female graduates. She learned that she'd have to burst through what she called a "concrete ceiling."

It did not take Ollie long to break the concrete and soar to new heights, literally as a one-time licensed pilot and dramatically as a full-time master litigator during her 54-year career. Her passion for the law never left her. Even in the final weeks of her life, when she was too ill to go into the office, she continued to work on cases at home.

A talented trial lawyer, she had many high-profile cases, including successfully defending state senator Greg Tarver, one of only two acquitted defendants in the Edwin Edwards riverboat gambling trial that resulted in the convictions of five people, including the former governor. Even after her health declined, she represented Baton Rouge pro bono in its recent fight to prevent St. George from seceding from the city. Both the Louisiana State Bar and the LSU Law Foundation recognized her lifetime achievements with the Foundation's 2013 Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award and her alma mater's 2020 Distinguished Achievement Award. One of her colleagues also endowed an LSU law professorship in her name. Many of her cases, while not featured in the newspaper, resulted in life-changing verdicts and settlements. During every trial, she entertained juries, informed judges, zealously advocated for her clients, and gave her opponents the battle of their lives.

Ollie's world outside the courtroom was full of fun, friends and her delicious food. For example, back in 1992, her legendary fried chicken was the centerpiece of a party she threw as Hurricane Andrew rolled in from the Gulf of Mexico. As she battered batch after batch of drumsticks, thighs and breasts, she filled the bellies of her always interesting collection of guests, which that night included two seven-foot LSU basketball players.

When she wasn't frying chicken or fresh speckled trout, she was cooking gumbo, grilling tenderloin, and even used her culinary skills to give the fast food business a try with the short-lived "Mop's Meat Pies." She also took a shot at politics, running for multiple judgeships and always feeling "lucky to come out second." While she was more than smart enough to become a judge, it was also difficult to imagine Mary Olive Pierson as a "neutral" officer of the court. There was nothing impartial about Ollie. She fought for the underdog and was an unabashed and outspoken Democrat, simultaneously needling and entertaining her Republican foes.

When it came to telling a story, few could hold an audience spellbound like Ollie, who sprinkled in equal parts of drama and humor. Later in life, she began to tell lots of fish tales as she spent almost every weekend at her camp at Port Fourchon. Her camp, like her home, was full of colorful, whimsical art and matched her penchant for the eclectic -- she felt comfortable wearing a pearl necklace with a t-shirt and seemed to always have a bow in her red hair. In addition to sharing her gifts of entertainment, love, concern and care with her many friends, she left an indelible mark on her family. She is survived and missed by her sister Barbara Pierson Gauthier (Mike), Thibodaux, La., brothers, Clint L. Pierson, Jr. (Anna Lee), Covington, La., brother George M. Pierson (Jan), Baton Rouge, and nieces and nephews, Mark E. Gauthier (Laura), Tampa, Fla., Craig M. Gauthier, M.D., New Iberia, La., Jill Gauthier Tullier (Kemp), Baton Rouge, Susan Gauthier Falgoust (Woody), Thibodaux, La., Melissa Pierson Recatto (Brian), Chicago, Bradley W. Pierson (Allison), New Orleans, Christopher L. Pierson (Shannon), Convington, La.,. Clint L. Pierson, III, Covington, La.,. David W. Pierson (Jennifer), Austin, Tex., and numerous great nieces and great nephews, who understood just how unique it was to have an Aunt Ollie. She was preceded in death by her father, Clint L. Pierson, Sr., mother, Mary Olive Delacroix Pierson Olds, and stepfather Glen H. Olds, Sr.. To honor and celebrate her remarkable life, visitation will be at 1:30 pm on September 16, 2024 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Baton Rouge; Mass will be at 3:30 pm, to be celebrated by Father Cleo Milano and Father Miles Walsh, followed by a private burial at a later date.

The family would like to express their gratitude for Ollie’s care by Dr. Carl Luikart, M.D. We also remember with appreciation the comforting care of Shun Scott and staff. In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, La. 70809 or Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 320 Marquette Avenue, Baton Rouge, La. 70806.