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Episode 16: Mental Health and Burnout in Trial Law

This is Part 2 of a three-part series on mental and physical health for trial lawyers.

Trial lawyers are trained to push through. Keep going. Don’t show weakness. So what happens when the pressure starts to build?

In this episode, Karen Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd take on something most lawyers avoid discussing: burnout is real, and pretending it isn’t can cost you more than your case. 

Mo shares how close he’s come to burning out and why he stopped hiding it, even when it’s been used against him. Karen pushes back on the culture of law itself, calling it egotistical, performative, and disconnected from being human. 

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review telling us how you manage stress when the pressure doesn’t let up.

Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast

Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff's personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.

Featuring Mike Todd, producer, audio engineer, and the Disembodied Voice of Wisdom & Reason.

Produced by Mike Todd and Kassie Slugić.

New episodes every Wednesday.

The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast is where trial law meets real life. Trial stories, hard lessons, unexpected laughs, and honest conversations about life inside and outside the courtroom.

Podcast Hub:
https://thevelvethammer.buzzsprout.com

Karen Koehler
https://karenkoehler.com
https://www.instagram.com/k3thevelvethammer/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-koehler-thevelvethammer/

Mo Hamoudi
https://www.instagram.com/mo.hamoudi/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mo-hamoudi-77a38733/

Stritmatter Law
https://www.stritmatter.com