Quotes by Zack McDermott

Corporate America wasn't too sympathetic to my plight: there is...
“ Corporate America wasn't too sympathetic to my plight: there is no overdraft protection plan that covers I was extremely manic and purchased $800 worth of novelty T-shirts from Urban Outfitters—can you let this one slide? You can't accuse yourself of fraud. “
-Zack McDermott-

Corporate America wasn't too sympathetic to my plight: there is no overdraft protection plan that covers I was extremely manic and purchased $800 worth of novelty T-shirts from Urban Outfitters—can you let this one slide? You can't accuse yourself of fraud.

Introducing Zack McDermott

Zack McDermott is an American author and former public defender known for his memoir, Gorilla and the Bird: A Memoir of Madness and a Mother's Love. Born in Wichita, Kansas, McDermott pursued undergraduate studies in political science and African-American studies at the University of Kansas. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2008.

After law school, McDermott began working as a public defender in Brooklyn, New York, in 2008. Alongside his legal career, he engaged in stand-up comedy. In 2010, at the age of 26, McDermott experienced his first psychotic episode, leading to a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder. His memoir, published in 2017, chronicles his journey through mental illness and the unwavering support of his mother, Cindy Cisneros-McGilvrey, referred to as "the Bird" in the book. 

McDermott has contributed to various media outlets, including This American Life, The New York Times, and Gawker, sharing insights on mental health and the criminal justice system.