I am inspired by @thejenlife's thread re: influential people - in her life - that she's met on the bird app.

So, here is my list and I'll start with Jen herself. Jen is an incredible friend. She's been a part of so many of my family events, she's an honorary sister. I love her.

Next, @LawyerCat_. This gent is hilarious, smart, and truly a great dude. In 2015, when I was looking to lateral, he helped me revise my resume, put me into contact with other firms and the good recruiters, gave interview advice and put in good words with other firms for me.

Next, @pfb360 and @ShelbyraeBlack. These two are such a hoot to be around. We met through a love of sailing and stuck around for a love of good food, drink, and conversation. I am so sad that they've gone back east, but now we have another reason to go visit DC.

Next, @Briefslayer and her lovely wife. We met for a brief get together at our yacht club while they were visiting San Diego and after some de rigeur USC vs. UCLA ribbing, we really enjoyed time together. Can't wait to see them both again!

Then we met up with @TaxFarmDad and @taxfarmmd shortly before their beautiful baby was born. They also joined us at the club for a sunset dinner and have proved to be good friends as well.

I've met up with @legalshmendrik on two occasions and laughed the whole time both times. Once at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco and once in San Diego. Good times were had by all and now he's about to join my firm as an associate on my recommendation! (Don't screw this up!)

When traveling for work in ATL, I got to have lunch with @blawlawlaw and @__banger. It was so nice of them to give a solo work traveler friendly faces to talk to during my trip. Things like that mean more to me than they know. I can't wait to reciprocate when they get out here.

I would be remiss if I didn't talk about what an amazing man @RMFifthCircuit is. He met w/ me when on vacay in San Diego to discuss appellate life, mooted my recent OA w/ me (easily 4 hrs of his time), & referred one of his BIG clients to me! I'm so grateful to call him my friend

I've not yet met @knitsandflowers in person, but she is a dear friend to me. A confidant, mentor, and bringer of joy and beauty. My little family is already planning a trip to go visit with her and her family as soon as we're all vaccinated for Covid.

Another dear friend who I've not yet met is @EHA_appeals. She is another lady who has offered timely and valuable advice, career mentorship, and is always available to chat. I strive to be as personable and friendly and smart as she is. She's got a standing sailing invite with me

2 simply amazing ladies I wish I could meet in person @gokpkd & @J_Dot_J have also given me valuable and timely career advice and have always been so friendly and open with their time and expertise. Important to me is their clear devotion to their families & I try to emulate that

When traveling in NYC, I had a lovely dinner with @Elpsky. She's a wonderful person, a great conversationalist, and so thoughtful. She brought a stuffed husky-dog for me to bring back to @Surfin_Son who still sleeps with it every night. Elp, you rock.

I give @SteamboatUSA a lot of shit on here, but I can because before we met on here I judged his regional trial team competition! (We discovered this fact after talking on here for > a year) Steve is a good dude at heart, if a little amped up, despite his terrible taste in cars.

I can't forget Twitter's mom, @yooty who is the type of person who will be on a plane, in a pandemic, 0.1hrs after she hangs up the phone with you if you need it. Yoots, thank you for being you.

There's a host of other people OnHere who are amazing & influential in my life and that of my family. If I missed you, I'll try to correct that later today (work calls). Thanks for being lights in the darkness.

Together we can make the world (or our corner of it) a better place.