In recent months, Baton Rouge Attorney Mary Olive Pierson
has risen as the face of the St. George opposition movement.
Baton Rouge officials defer to her biting comments on St. George issues when approached by the media for comment. Pierson even admitted that she flew to Kansas City recently to convince L’Auberge Casino representatives to join the city of Baton Rouge — a significant financial hit to the St. George proposed budget.
But Pierson’s contract with the city of Baton Rouge is limited to a lawsuit related to the annexation of the Mall of Louisiana, which is being challenged in the appellate court by former legislator and newspaper owner Woody Jenkins.
Her additional efforts to defend the integrity of the parish have not been lost of St. George supporters, who have questioned her motivations and financial backers.
But Pierson said Wednesday she is working pro bono. She noted that several St. George supporters say they are working pro bono including spokesman Lionel Rainey, and attorney Alex St. Amant who is defending Jenkins in the mall suit.
“I have a vital interest in making sure this city I was born in and grew up in continues to flourish,” Pierson said, adding that she stepped into the role to “fill a void.”
Pierson said she paid her own way to Kansas City to meet with the casino representatives and doesn’t get paid despite “spending three meetings a week on this.”
“If I have to give all of my time on this, I might think about doing that,” she said. “They’re stuck with me.”
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