What Linkedin Doesn’t Say About attorney & feminist erotica advocate S. Lucia Kanter St. Amour

Meet the VP emerita for UN Women, attorney, law professor, book author ... and parent to a special needs child and a rocket scientist

S. Lucia Kanter St. Amour, 53, San Francisco

I know. My name sounds like an Italian opera, right? I’m frequently asked about it — it’s about a 7.5-minute story. Then people will say, “Well, can you just give me the 90-second version?” And I say, “No. If you really want to know the story of my name, take 7.5 minutes out of your overly busy life (which includes scrolling social media a lot longer than that — not judging!), and listen to the story here.”

Let’s connect on Linkedin • pactumfactum.com • Goodreads

Read my new Substack: Two Minute Taboo

Previous locations: Born and raised in a small town outside Chicago, then UC Berkeley for college (can you say “culture shock”? And I never went back to that small town).

I’m in the midst of: Oooooh, I’m so glad you asked — and I already spoiled it above but still — Drum roll please . . .

I launched my free Erotica Substack (separate from my professional podcast on Substack) on Valentine’s Day! Yes, yes, I realize erotica is the hot trend now with 50+ aged women, in which case you might argue I’m late to the party. However — not to put too fine a point on it — a lot of it is mediocre. This is not.

I’m writing under a pen name for practical reasons to set it apart from my professional brand, but let’s be clear: I will stand up right beside my erotica work and proclivities as the very apotheosis of feminine (and feminist) power — which I proclaim as a respected feminist essayist and VP emerita for UN Women). Gen X women like me, in particular, were sold a bill of goods about sexuality and it’s not too late for us to reclaim it (there’s a reason that a mainstream movie starring Nicole Kidman called “Babygirl” released in December, my fellow Grown Ass Ladies).

🌶 I use a 1–3 chili pepper rating scale for my pieces; they are short and sizzling, meant to be consumed in about 2 minutes, intended to enhance (not imbalance) your life.

But wait, there’s more. I’m releasing my fifth book, The Covert Buccaneer (complex dual timeline women’s book club historical fiction set in San Francisco — release date set for October 13, 2025), and already I’ve signed with a production company for a star-studded ensemble cast for the audiobook edition.

Oh, and I’m working as an attorney and law professor, too. You know. In my spare time.

Relationship status: Married to a man who manages (mostly) to keep up with my crazy.

Partner’s age and profession (if you have one): He’s Sicilian, age 58, and a retired designer, builder, and champion racer of Formula 1–style open-road racing cars. I know. 🔥, right? He can build or fix anything mechanical, digital, electoral, hydraulic, or automotive; and has never once left the toilet seat up. Oh. And he cooks. I’m basically a trophy wife 🏆😜

My income: Let’s just say I have something many Silicon Valley tech bajillionaires down the road from me don’t seem to have: enough.

Expenses in a nutshell: Well, I’ve moved my youngest son, a sophomore at UC Berkeley majoring in astrophysics (super fun as a mom to say my son is a rocket scientist!) into his first apartment, but technically he’s still on the payroll. His older brother with special needs will always need care: a group home, conservatorship, fiduciary services, etc. So, I’m always thinking about making sure he is provided for even after this world somehow has to limp along on its axis without me. I shop consignment; I don’t buy alcohol and makeup; I don’t eat out often, in favor of sumptuous home cooking (I consider leftovers to be food of the Gods); I don’t take expensive vacations (I went nine years without a vacation because of my special needs son. The savings add up!)

Retirement savings as of December 2024: I started contributing to my retirement with my very first job and didn’t stop. So, I’m in decent shape. I also never carried a balance on a credit card since my first one when I was a sophomore in college. If I couldn’t afford something, I didn’t buy it (with the exception of homes, cars, education debt — all paid off). You know who taught me money management? MY MOM!

Work remotely or onsite? Both. I’m wiggly. I need variety. I write at home. I teach onsite at the law school. I do speaking engagements in person (sometimes remotely); and my Chief Legal Officer role is remote for a company based in New York.

A typical weekday schedule in a nutshell: Look, I’ll level with you. I’m like an intelligent dog: if I get bored, I’ll just get into trouble. Not so much digging up the garden, but buying more shoes (and I don’t need more shoes). See “I need variety” above, plus I like my body to be in motion:

• I teach part-time at UC Law San Francisco (faculty for 20+ years, teaching Negotiation)

• Serve as Chief Legal Officer for a women’s healthy equity company

• Write 2–4 hours per day

• Climb the steps to Coit Tower to see new things in the rotunda murals (because those muralists from the 1930s are speaking to us!)

• Hike with my dog and say hi in my “woojy woojy” voice to every other dog along the way

• Cook really legit Italian food

• Read an average of 2 really decent fiction books per week (mostly women’s historical)

• Attend myriad SF arts, cultural events, and talks (Chris Hayes was just here and I went to see him and had a chance to talk to him. I even gave him some advice!)

• But! I start each day with my slow pour-over coffee, music, and writing. And no one is allowed to talk to me, lest they suffer the consequences of an irate Italian woman (Trust me. Just. Don’t. No one wins.)

Ideal schedule: Well, dang. I think I just described it above. GO ME! I’m killing it!! 💪

How much my career is tied to my identity: 50%

My happiness meter: I’m 95% human Labrador*. A happy tail-wagger. This annoys some people. Oh well. 🤷🏻‍♀️ That’s a “them” problem.

*Begs the question: what breed is the other 5%? Try talking to me during my morning pour-over and find out . . .

My career trajectory: I’m fortunate to be at a point where I can pick and choose my projects. I don’t have to work with or for any more meanies 😡. If I don’t like it or it doesn’t seem meaningful for creating a greater good, I’ll pass. Because I am often asked to speak at conferences (fave format: fireside chat) and I enjoy that, I can be picky about the ones that connect with my purpose and overall vibe.