Pearl Fey is a young girl from a branch family of the Fey clan, a family of spirit mediums with a long tradition of channeling the dead. She is the daughter of Morgan Fey, who lost her claim to the title of Master of the clan to her younger sister Misty. Because Pearl was born with exceptionally strong spiritual power, her mother saw her as a way to reclaim influence within the clan. Pearl is also the younger cousin of Maya Fey, making her part of the same family line that Phoenix Wright becomes closely tied to through his work as a defense attorney.

Despite this complicated family background, Pearl is a cheerful, kind, and innocent child. She has spent much of her life in the secluded setting of Kurain Village and is naive about the outside world, often misunderstanding everyday situations and the relationships between the adults around her. She is deeply devoted to Maya, whom she admires greatly, and she firmly believes that Phoenix and Maya are meant to be together. As a result, she becomes jealous and upset whenever Phoenix appears to be friendly with any other woman, sometimes reacting dramatically to protect what she sees as her cousin's future happiness.

Pearl's primary motivation is to support and protect Maya and to live up to her place within the Fey clan. Her mother raised her with the belief that she would one day become the Master of the channeling technique, and Morgan attempts to use Pearl in schemes to remove Maya from the line of succession. Pearl herself, however, is not driven by ambition or resentment. She is loyal, caring, and trusting, and her innocence makes her vulnerable to being manipulated by her mother's plans.

In the story, Pearl becomes a key ally to Phoenix and Maya during cases that involve the Fey family. She uses her spiritual abilities to channel the spirit of Mia Fey, Maya's deceased older sister and Phoenix's former mentor, at crucial moments in court, providing the defense with vital assistance. In the anime adaptation, she serves alongside Phoenix during one of the most difficult trials, acting as his companion in the courtroom and channeling Mia at the moments when her guidance is needed most.

Pearl's relationships are central to her character. Her bond with Maya is the strongest, and Maya returns her affection, treating her like a beloved younger sister. Her relationship with Phoenix develops over time from wary curiosity to trust and fondness, though she continues to see him as Maya's destined partner. Her relationship with her mother is complicated, as Morgan's ambitions clash with Pearl's gentle nature and her love for Maya. Through her channeling, Pearl also forms a unique connection to Mia, sometimes summoning her spirit at unexpected and inconvenient moments.

Over the course of the series, Pearl grows from a small child into a capable young woman, but she retains her warm and earnest personality. Her faith in Phoenix and Maya never wavers, and her desire to do good and to become a proper medium remains consistent even as she matures and learns more about the darker history of her family.

Pearl's notable ability is spirit channeling, a talent in which she is considered a prodigy. Her spiritual power is described as intense, and even as a child she possesses knowledge of the Fey clan and its techniques that exceeds that of many older mediums. This power allows her to summon the spirits of the dead with a level of skill unusual for her age, making her one of the most gifted mediums in her family despite her youth.