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Linda Fairstein is an American attorney and author, known for her extensive career as a New York City prosecutor focusing on crimes against women and children, and her subsequent successful transition into publishing best-selling mystery novels.
Linda Fairstein's literary agency, ICM Partners, dropped her following public backlash related to the Netflix series 'When They See Us' and her historical involvement in the Central Park Five case.
Linda Fairstein settled a defamation lawsuit against Netflix and Ava DuVernay concerning her portrayal in the series 'When They See Us,' with Netflix donating $1 million to the Innocence Project instead of a payment to Fairstein.
Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House, terminated its publishing relationship with Linda Fairstein following widespread criticism over her role in the Central Park Five case and the release of 'When They See Us'.
Glamour Magazine issued a note retracting their 1993 Woman of the Year Award to Linda Fairstein, stating that the award was given before the full injustices in the Central Park Five case were known and that they would not bestow the honor today.
Linda Fairstein resigned from the board of Safe Horizon, a non-profit victim assistance organization, amid increasing public pressure.
Linda Fairstein resigned from the Board of Trustees of her alma mater, Vassar College, after significant pressure from students and administration members.
The Mystery Writers of America initially announced an intention to honor Fairstein with a 'Grand Master' award for literary achievement in 2018 but withdrew the honor due to renewed controversy surrounding her involvement in the Central Park Five case.
Fairstein served as a sex crimes expert for various television media outlets, including CNN, consulting on high-profile prosecutions.
Fairstein provided expert commentary on sex crimes for MSNBC, among other television media.
Fairstein appeared on Larry King's program as a sex crimes expert to discuss various high-profile cases.
Linda Fairstein was born on May 5, 1947, in Mount Vernon, New York. She graduated from Vassar College in 1969 with a degree in English literature and subsequently earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1972. Fairstein began her legal career in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. By 1976, she was promoted to head the sex crimes unit, a position she held for over two decades until 2002. During her tenure, she oversaw numerous high-profile cases, including the prosecution of Robert Chambers in the 1986 “Preppy Murder case” and the 1998 People v. Jovanovic cases. Fairstein was a vocal advocate for victims, working to support individuals affected by crime. Her active involvement in complex legal proceedings and her dedication to the field of sex crimes prosecution established her as a prominent figure in the New York legal landscape.
After leaving the District Attorney’s office in 2002, Fairstein embarked on a successful career as a novelist, publishing a series of best-selling mystery novels featuring Manhattan prosecutor Alexandra Cooper. Her writing drew heavily from her extensive legal experience, making her books resonate with readers interested in crime fiction. She also wrote the Devlin Quick series for younger readers and a nonfiction work, “Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape” (1993). Beyond her literary achievements, Fairstein continued to serve as a consultant and expert for various print and television media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, and Larry King, contributing to discussions on high-profile cases like the Michael Jackson molestation charges, Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault charges, and Scott Peterson’s trial. She also founded the Domestic Violence Committee of the New York Women’s Agenda, advocating for victims of domestic abuse.
Throughout her career, Fairstein received a number of awards recognizing her contributions to public service and literature. These included the Federal Bar Council’s Emory Buckner Award for Public Service, the Nero Wolfe Award for Excellence in Crime Writing, the UJA Federation’s Proskauer Award, and the International Thriller Writers 2010 Silver Bullet Award. While her career was marked by significant achievements, she also faced notable criticism related to her role in the 1989 Central Park Jogger case, particularly following the 2019 Netflix series “When They See Us,” which led to public scrutiny and the termination of some professional relationships.
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