: Pierceson investigates why and how social movements turn to the federal court system to establish national policy. Her research highlights that decentralized political systems (like the U.S. federalist system) often create a "patchwork" of conflicting state regulations, which compels movements to seek judicial intervention.
: Her work contributes to the understanding of legal mobilization , which refers to the social processes where the law is invoked to address perceived problems or injustices.
: Pierceson explores the complex relationship between a political system's openness and the tactical choices of activists, examining how factors like legislative gridlock or counter-movements (such as opposition to same-sex marriage) drive groups toward the courts.