All of us have a favorite time of year and this is mine. I love how today marks a new year, a new decade, a new beginning.

I'm even willing to break out an exclamation point: Happy New Year! 

The first song I play on New Year's Day is "New Year's Day" by U2, an overly literal tradition, but I still recommend it. 

 

Thank you for staying in contact with Chelsea and me through this email list. You may know I like to always start new year correspondence with a quote. 

 

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something--your gut, destiny, life and karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life." Steve Jobs

 

This has been a remarkable year of forward progress. 

 

Chelsea accepted a promotion to be assistant director of communications and marketing at Bates Technical College. She plays an an expanded role in directing and executing marketing efforts. Additionally, she's the Lindquist family social media maven.  

 

She is also busy managing a kitchen remodel in our 100-year-old craftsman and toting nine-year-old Sloane to swimming, basketball, softball, and tennis. Sloane enjoys tennis the most.

 

"It's my thing," Sloane says. "I like smacking the ball." 

Santa brought Sloane a book about tennis pros Venus and Serena Williams for Christmas. Chelsea and I always encourage Santa to bring books, #BooksAreBestGifts. I've been updating my blog with book recommendations, movie reviews, Zen Lawyer excerpts, and miscellaneous mischief. 

 

Sloane asked to speak at the memorial service after my mother passed away this year. As emcee, I exercised my discretion and amended the speaker list. 

Chelsea and I are continually awed by Sloane's confidence, poise, and kindness.

My mother co-authored the Education for All Act in Washington State, which was signed into law by Governor Dan Evans. This legislation made public education available to all of our children, including those with disabilities. As Dan said at the memorial service, she was an icon in the disabilities community.  

 

On January 1, 2019, I joined the Herrmann Law Group. On January 3, I flew to Jakarta, Indonesia for a five-week work excursion with Charles Herrmann, one of the top aviation attorneys in the world. On that trip, and subsequent trips, 51 victim families chose us as their attorney. We are honored to represent them in our lawsuit against Boeing for the two crashes of the 737 Max 8.            

In addition to aviation disasters, we represent victims of car crashes and other cases of personal injury. In September, we filed the first vaping lawsuit in Washington State. 

Please let me know if we can help you or a friend with anything.  

I loved my 23 years of public service and I was pleased to progress to private practice. My focus remains the same: justice, accountability, public safety. Also, still helping people.   

 

Though we did not have time for a family vacation this year, we did buy a vacation condominium at the oceanside community of Seabrook. We love the ocean view and the beach vibe. 

 

Construction should be complete this summer. We will rent it out ocassionally and yes, there will be a special friends and family rate. Meanwhile, Chelsea set up an Instagram.

You can also follow me on Instagram, my main social media, or  Facebook and Twitter, where I'm spending less time in 2020. Hope springs eternal. 

Oh, and as Steve Jobs liked to say, one more thing. I saw the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Flock of Seagulls and the Minus Five this year and I'm telling you, catch 'em while you can. 

"You just might find you get what you need." 

Thanks you again for your friendship. Chelsea and I appreciate you. We look forward to sharing the joys of 2020 with you. 

 

Gratefully,