Born and raised in Cleveland,[1] Pearson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Georgetown University in 1985 and then earned a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland State University College of Law in 1995.

[2] From 1998 until 2000, Pearson served as a general litigation associate for Jones Day Reavis & Pogue in Cleveland.

[2] From 2000 to 2008, Pearson served as an assistant United States attorney in Cleveland.

[1] On December 3, 2009, President Barack Obama formally nominated Pearson to serve on the Northern District of Ohio.

[2] Pearson was chosen to fill the seat vacated by Judge Peter C. Economus, who assumed senior status on July 3, 2009.