ATTORNEY, AUTHOR, DOG LOVER
Katie Richter is a divorced mom of two teenage girls, working full time during the day and attending law school at night, all while fighting to keep her younger daughter from spiraling into a life of endless partying and drug use. When Katie finally graduates from law school and begins working as an Assistant District Attorney, one of her daughters is murdered. She is forced to reckon with her failings as a mom as well as the ethical dilemma she faces when she realizes her remaining child might commit perjury to secure the killer’s conviction.
Trial and Error is a novel that explores the often inevitable sense of failure that single mothers feel regarding their parenting skills, even as they succeed in so many other facets of their lives. The book appeals to all women who struggle with the fallacy of work/family balance as well as those readers who like a good legal drama. It is reminiscent of William Landay’s "Defending Jacob" but evokes the tone and style of Celeste Ng’s "Little Fires Everywhere," with a focus on the fraught relationships that often evolve between a driven single mother and her coming-of-age daughters.
I attended the March meeting of the Westchester Women's Bar Association Book Club where we discussed "Trial and Error" as well as the writing process, how to self-publish, and the many ways to market a book in the era of Social Media.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am an author, lawyer, professor, mother, volunteer, advocate and rescue dog enthusiast! The circuitous route that brought me here started in Pittsburgh, PA, where I grew up and spent my youth devoted to my first love—dancing and theater. I found my way to New York City at 18 to pursue that passion, spent months cross-crossing the United States in musical theater bus tours, attended Vassar College as an adult student with little kids, and entered politics back when it was considered a noble profession to serve the public (I still believe that, by the way).
After working long days as Chief of Staff to a County Executive and attending law school at night, I graduated Magna Cum Laude and spent most of my legal career writing appellate briefs. My fondest memories—and funniest stories—are of when I worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Westchester County, NY, mostly because of the co-workers I toiled with side-by-side daily who became my “DA Family.” I also served for one year as Legal Counsel to the Chief Judge of the State of New York, writing opinions for New York’s Highest Court, and as a law clerk to Federal Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith (Retired), whose red pen got quite a workout on my drafts…and I’m a better writer for it.
I teach a class at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, not so much to pass on my legal expertise but, instead, to hopefully answer all the stupid questions that I was too embarrassed to ask in law school and encourage my students in their law school journey (especially the Part-timers, like me). I have also taught Criminal Law at Westchester Community College and Monroe College.
I’m a chronic volunteer, having served as President of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association, President of Habitat of Humanity of Putnam County, Chair of the Mount Pleasant Democrat Committee, and as a weekly dog walker at Animal Haven in NYC. I am currently the President of the Alumni Council at Westchester Community College, a member of the Foundation Board there, as well as a member of the Board of Visitors at the law school, the Women in Law Society, and the WCC Paralegal Advisory Board. I administer and teach in the Children’s Program at First Baptist Church of Brewster, deliver food to clients through Hillside Food Outreach each month, and volunteer with Compassion International. In my spare time, I teach spin four mornings a week and facilitate a women’s book club.
I’m married to Jim, also a lawyer, whose greatest trait is his ability to hide his fear when I approach him with the phrase “I’ve been thinking….” And I’m not ashamed to admit that my two daughters have bested me in every area of this game called life—Vicki, a wine and travel writer who will one day write a book of her own when she finally slows down; and Stephanie, an amazing artist and graphic designer who specializes in logos and branding and also designed my first book cover and layout.
I draw inspiration for my writing from all of these many varied facets of my life but I really just want to spend all day snuggling with my four rescue dogs—Scout, Jack, Ben and Topper.
AWARDS
The Pioneer Award, 2020—New York County Lawyer’s Association
Attorney Innovator of the Year, 2020—New York Law Journal
