Linda Fairstein

As the distinguished Head of the Sex Crimes Unit for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for over two decades, Linda Fairstein established an esteemed career as a formidable prosecutor and advocate for victims. After earning her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1972, Fairstein joined the Manhattan District Attorney’s office as an Assistant District Attorney, before her promotion in 1976 to lead the specialized unit. In this pivotal role, she oversaw numerous high-profile prosecutions, including the 1986 Robert Chambers ‘Preppy Murder case’ and the 1998 People v. Jovanovic cases, earning recognition as a prominent figure in the New York legal landscape.

Concurrently, she became a highly sought-after legal consultant and expert for major media outlets, providing incisive commentary for CNN, MSNBC, and Larry King on high-profile cases such as the Michael Jackson molestation charges, Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault charges, and the Scott Peterson trial. Fairstein further demonstrated her commitment to public service by founding the Domestic Violence Committee of the New York Women’s Agenda. For her distinguished contributions, she received the UJA Federation’s Proskauer Award and the Federal Bar Council’s Emory Buckner Award for Public Service. Her literary success continued to flourish with the introduction of her Devlin Quick series for younger readers, beginning with ‘Into the Lion’s Den’ in 2016.

Throughout her impactful career, Fairstein was recognized with the International Thriller Writers 2010 Silver Bullet Award. Her ongoing work in the mystery genre culminated with the publication of ‘Blood Oath’ in 2019, further solidifying her status as a prolific and celebrated author of best-selling crime and young adult fiction.