Howdy, I am Heather McKinney, a yeehaw-talking’ Mr. Rogers type with a law license.
I’ve been talking about weird stuff that I know about or odd things that happen to me (and others) for as long as I’ve had access to a keyboard. Now I do this professionally, thanks to a wild idea from my best friend, Christie. She and I started a podcast back in 2018 after she had the idea to start a book club but instead of books, we talk about all things sinister like cults, crimes, and cryptids. From that, Sinisterhood was born. More folks than just our friends started listening, and now, it’s been downloaded over 55 million times and just received the Best Podcast of 2025 designation by D Magazine.
I started writing when I was in fifth grade, performing my work on stage in seventh grade, and doing improv when I was in high school. I did comedy in Chicago during undergrad where I also worked as a tour guide on the river.
I abandoned my entertainment aspirations briefly to go to law school at SMU Dedman School of Law (shout out to the #4 school in the state!) Throughout my legal career, I worked at: a hedge fund, my own practice, a huge New York-based law firm doing private equity deals, and legal aid. All my proudest legal moments are when I helped people.
I helped abused, neglected, and exploited adults over 60 protect their rights at legal aid. I have forgotten (blocked out due to trauma) most of the deals I did at the big law firm, but I do recall the wonderful pro bono hours I put in for The Innocence Project, both for their special litigation group and in application evaluations. In partnership with the Human Rights Initiative, I aided in representing a Nigerian national in an asylum/withholding of removal application. During the pandemic, I helped vulnerable individuals access resources by creating an attorney resource guide on the CARES Act and providing pro bono services to local small business owners.
I no longer represent private clients. Instead, I use my experience and knowledge to breakdown legal concepts on the show and in writing here on the blog.
In 2022, I married a filmmaker named Paris Brown. Together we co-founded Nice Egg Entertainment, a production company that seeks to entertain and inspire folks through creative storytelling. Our films have screened and won awards at Just for Laughs Montreal, Austin Film Festival, WorldFest Houston, and other festivals across the country.
To reach me on social media, follow me on threads where I reply and repost a lot. Follow on Instagram for intermittent photos. You should follow Sinisterhood on Instagram or YouTube if you want to hear my voice and/or see videos of my face weekly.
Technically I have email, but along with it, I have 41,257 unread emails. Give it a try at heathervtw@gmail.com.
I’m available for speaking (virtually or in-person). I realize the irony, but please email me at heathervtw@gmail.com or leave a comment on threads being like “yo, get off here and check your email.” Hire me to dazzle your group with topics like writing, journaling, creativity, doing what you love, choosing a legal career, professionalism standards for new lawyers, improv concepts at work, and how alchemize the worst thing that ever happened to you into something magical.