A.X. Foster is a former prosecutor and defense attorney turned novelist who’s turning real-life courtroom experience into gripping legal thrillers. In this episode, he shares how his background in acting and law helped him build a successful writing career, why COVID was the creative catalyst he needed, and how his novels teach readers about the legal system, without getting lost in legalese.
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Before becoming a published novelist, A.X. Foster spent decades inside the courtroom, first as a prosecutor for 20 years, then as a defense attorney for 15. His legal journey was shaped by a fascination with criminal law and his ability to present a case like a story, drawing from his earlier career as a professional actor in New York City.
“A trial is nothing more than a story. It has a villain, a hero, a beginning, a middle, and end," shares A.X. Foster on You Are A Lawyer.
In 2020, with the courthouse shut down due to COVID, A.X. found himself with time and creative energy. He returned to his lifelong love of writing, something he grew up with thanks to his novelist mother and editor father, and wrote his first legal thriller, Gavel to Gavel. It was quickly followed by Double Blind, both part of a courtroom mystery series filled with suspense, realism, and heart.
A.X. didn’t always plan on practicing law. After years spent auditioning and acting in New York, he grew frustrated with the industry and pivoted toward law with the initial goal of entering entertainment law. But once in school, the courtroom itself captured his imagination—and he quickly realized he had the performance skills to thrive in it.
“When we got to moot court… they really had never seen anybody like me," reflects A.X. Foster on Episode 206 of You Are a Lawyer.
Though he doubted whether law school was the right fit at first—being older than his peers and new to the academic rigor—he soon found his footing through public speaking and advocacy. Law became a natural extension of his storytelling instincts and theatrical training.
According to A.X., a law degree isn’t just a pathway to practicing law—it’s a launchpad for analytical thinking, problem-solving, and structured creativity. Whether presenting arguments in court or constructing a mystery plot, the ability to think logically and communicate clearly is invaluable.
“Your legal education just inculcates in you a feeling of logic… solving puzzles. That’s kind of at the heart of all of my books," shared A.X. Foster on Episode 206 of You Are a Lawyer.
His books teach readers about the legal process, but they’re more than just entertainment, they’re a way to demystify the courtroom experience while creating suspenseful, character-driven narratives.
A.X.’s side hustle as an author didn’t just stem from a love of books—it came from lived experience. Drawing from real cases he prosecuted and defended, he built compelling plots that read like fiction but are grounded in courtroom realism. He even test-ran his early manuscripts with a jury of trusted friends and lawyers for feedback.
“Write what you know… because I can spot right away someone who’s never been in a courtroom,” A.X. Foster shares in Episode 206 of You Are a Lawyer.
He also manages his own publishing relationships and book marketing, blending legal savvy with entrepreneurial spirit. From book signings to readings to podcast interviews, A.X. shows that you can take a legal career and build something entirely new, without leaving your skills behind.
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A.X. is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland.
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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