Episode 32: How to Interview Clients and Win Juries
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™, Karen Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd dig into one of the most overlooked skills as a trial lawyer: the client interview. This is not just about filling out intake forms. Karen shares why she spends hours with clients before even asking about the incident and how those conversations create the foundation for damages storytelling.
They explore how to go beyond surface-level questions and reach a place where clients feel seen and understood. Karen explains why juries distrust “perfect” people, how to get ahead of biases, and why embracing flaws and adversity makes for stronger narratives.
This episode is a blueprint for any lawyer who wants to connect deeply with clients and craft stories that resonate with juries.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 31: Protesting in America: Your Legal Rights Explained
Seattle recently saw 70,000 people take to the streets during the No Kings March, and Karen, Mo, and Mike are here to talk about what it means to exercise your right to protest. From Westlake Mall to Capitol Hill, they break down where you can legally assemble, what happens when protests cross into civil disobedience, and how politics shape whether rules get enforced at all.
Mo steps into the “public defender” role, laying out the constitutional protections for peaceful assembly, while Karen pushes back on law and order interpretations and calls out the messy reality of protest policing. They dig into Black Lives Matter, counter protests, government double standards, and the fine line between peaceful and non-peaceful action.
They do not shy away from the uncomfortable questions. Do anger and disruption drive change more than civility? Why do some movements get embraced while others get shut down fast? And what risks are you willing to take for a cause you believe in?
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Episode 30: Placing a Monetary Value on the Loss of a "Good Life"
What constitutes a “good life,” and what happens when catastrophic events forever change its course? Karen Koehler reads an essay she wrote at 17 about what makes a good life and reflects on how her definition has evolved.
Mo Hamoudi shares a deeply personal story from his senior year of high school about basketball, a mother battling cancer, and an abusive stepfather. His account shows how early life experiences shape our understanding of others' suffering and the meaning of resilience.
Joined by Mike Todd, they explore how life's highs and lows influence what we value and how trial lawyers translate that into damages for clients whose lives have been permanently altered.
The discussion becomes a masterclass in advocacy, with Karen demonstrating how to channel a client's humanity in front of a jury and build a narrative arc that resonates on emotional, moral, and human levels. They unpack the role of life care plans, general damages, and authentic storytelling, and examine the balance between honoring resilience and acknowledging profound loss.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 29 - The Penis Restraining Order - This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and explicit anatomical references. It contains mature content that may not be appropriate for all listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
Karen Koehler walks us through one of the most outrageous, unforgettable, and legally strategic motions she has ever filed: a request to restrain rapper Nelly’s penis. Yes, you read that right.
This episode is a wild ride, from the Kent courthouse to the press frenzy that followed, as Karen breaks down why she believed the request was legitimate, how the defense team reacted, and what it was like to stand before a judge and argue a motion no one saw coming. Mo Hamoudi and Mike Todd react in real time, going from disbelief to total admiration.
But behind the laughs is a serious point. How do you make sure the justice system addresses the harm of sexual violence when standard procedures feel inadequate? Karen flips the script by putting the alleged assailant’s body on notice and forces the defense to talk about it.
In the Press:
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Episode 28: DEI, WAMs, and Legal Power Plays |
Karen Koehler shares the 2008 letter that shook up the American Association for Justice (AAJ), calling out its failure to address diversity in any meaningful way. The fallout was instant. She lost friends, made enemies, and set off a chain reaction that eventually pushed the organization to adopt a formal diversity plan.
Joined by Mo Hamoudi and Mike Todd, the trio breaks down what it takes to call out power from within. Karen confronts the reality of being a woman in a white male-dominated legal association, while Mo shares his own story of challenging performative DEI during his time at the Federal Public Defender. Mike weighs in on the backroom politics of change and how real reform often depends on who is even allowed to write a letter (and have it taken seriously) in the first place.
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Episode 27: Mo Tais in Maui – Hosting the 2025 WTLA Reception
What happens when Karen offers up her Hawaiian home for a trial lawyer party... and forgets she did it? In this episode, Karen and Mo break down the chaos, comedy, and creativity behind hosting 80 trial attorneys in her backyard during the Western Trial Lawyers Association Conference.
From last-minute Costco runs and signature cocktail prep (yes, Mo bartended) to windstorms knocking over tables and the President of WSAJ stepping in as the official Jell-O shot girl, this episode is sure to make you laugh.
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Episode 26: Mastering the Art of Direct Examination
What separates a good trial lawyer from a great one? Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi unpack what makes a direct examination persuasive, from reading the jury’s body language to deciding when to provoke or disarm a hostile witness. They share real trial stories, including moments where everything went off-script and the only way to save the case was by adapting on the fly.
Forget rigid outlines and rehearsed testimony. Karen explains why she now preps plaintiffs like an Oprah interview instead of a legal exam, and why keeping their testimony short often works better. Mo brings in his acting background to show how body language and proximity can build trust. They also dive into the gender dynamics of trial, and why female attorneys face a different standard when navigating authority and emotion in the courtroom.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 25: Amazon's Dirty Discovery Tactics
Amazon dropped a steaming pile of objections to discovery responses and Karen and Mo are not having it. In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™, they unpack Amazon’s absurd responses to basic discovery requests, like refusing to identify their experts or disclose insurance. Karen compares it to getting “pooped on from the sky,” and Mo brings out his alter ego, Ruthless Mo, to call out the obstruction for what it is: a total waste of time and a deliberate attempt to bury the truth.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 24: Sean Combs on Trial: Jury Out For Deliberation
As the jury deliberates in the explosive federal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, attorneys Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi break down the charges, evidence, and legal strategies that make this trial a pivotal moment in shaping our understanding of consent, power, and accountability.
Behind the glamorous facade of celebrity parties lies something much more sinister. The defense characterizes it as a swinger lifestyle. Prosecutors describe it as systematic exploitation. Combs faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The evidence is damning. Surveillance footage shows violent abuse. Witnesses describe drug-fueled “freak-offs” lasting for days. Federal raids uncovered weapons, drugs, and thousands of bottles of lubricant.
Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi explore the concept of psychological coercion and how power dynamics can erase any real possibility of consent. When someone controls access to fame, money, and opportunity, even an invitation can feel like a threat. Add blackmail, physical abuse, and drugging to the mix, and the defense’s narrative of consensual activity falls apart.
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Episode 23: Confronting the Money Taboo in Plaintiff Work
What happens when you’ve spent your whole life avoiding money, and now your entire job is to ask for it in the name of justice?
In this episode, Mo Hamoudi opens up about how childhood poverty and betrayal shaped a deep discomfort with money. He was taken advantage of by people who claimed to care about him. He learned early on that money could be a weapon. And then he became a plaintiff lawyer.
Karen challenges him: “Money is not a dirty word. If you're embarrassed about it, the jury will feel it. The defense will see it. And your client will lose.”
Together, they unpack how the civil justice system forces us to put a price on the unthinkable, like the loss of a child. “When you say a child’s loss is worth nothing, you destroy the very idea of what it means to love unconditionally.”
They also delve into the power dynamics within the plaintiff bar. The more money you have, the harder you are to wear down. And the more seriously you’re taken.
Mo’s working to reframe his relationship with money. Not as betrayal. But as fuel for justice. Karen thinks he’s about 20 percent there. And that’s better than zero.
🎧 Listen to Episode 23: “Confronting the Money Taboo in Plaintiff Work”
Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 22: Post-Settlement Syndrome
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™, Karen and Mo talk about the emotional crash that hits when you’re “all dressed up and nowhere to party.” Karen calls it post-settlement syndrome. The adrenaline is still pumping, but there’s no fight. They unpack what it feels like when justice is close enough to taste, but the public reckoning never happens. Mike compares it to being robbed of your moment in the ring.
The frustration is real. They reveal how even a great result for a client can feel hollow when it stops short of holding the other side publicly accountable.
They revisit the landmark $10 million Black Lives Matter settlement and explore why some lawyers would rather go to trial than accept the win. For Karen and Mo, the trial isn’t just about the outcome. It’s about the strategy, the confrontation, and the moral clarity that only comes in open court. When that energy has nowhere to go, it often manifests as spicy interactions between colleagues.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 21: The Archetypes That Drive Us in Life and Law
Have you ever noticed how you show up differently depending on the room you're in? In this episode, Karen, Mo, and Mike explore the inner archetypes that shape our thoughts, work, and connections, particularly in the world of trial law.
Karen reflects on her transformation from Disco Karen to Martha Stewart Karen to Trial Karen, each persona tied to survival, tradition, love, and strength. Mo breaks down the different aspects of himself, from Little Mo to Ruthless Mo to Wise Mo, explaining how trauma has shaped these versions and how naming them has given him clarity and control. Mike shares how making music helps him access his most authentic self, the version where everything else falls away.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 20: Karen Koehler on Leadership Challenges in Managing a Law Firm
Can being too humble hold you back?
Karen opens up about her leadership style, one that prioritizes team praise over personal recognition, and the unintended downside of deflecting credit. Mo and Mike delve into how humility, when taken to an extreme, can blur the lines between authority and respect.
Together, they explore the tension between wanting respect but rejecting praise, how gender shapes perceptions of leadership, and why decisiveness is often mistaken for arrogance.
Mo shares a powerful take on Karen’s legal mastery, especially her ability to pace a case like a symphony, and reminds us why great leaders must sometimes own their power.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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🎙️ Episode 19: The Punk Move: When Abusers Use SLAPP suits to Silence Survivors
What happens when the accused turns around and sues the person making the accusation? Karen and Mo dive into the disturbing rise of SLAPP suits — lawsuits filed by powerful defendants to intimidate, drain, and silence sexual abuse survivors.
These lawsuits are calculated moves designed to scare survivors into silence by weaponizing the legal system. This episode explores how money, status, and power are leveraged to silence those who speak out.
Karen calls it a punk move. Mo breaks down the strategy behind it. Together, they explore why this tactic is so common in sex abuse cases and how it discourages survivors from coming forward.
#SLAPPSuit #TheVelvetHammer #KarenKoehler #MoHamoudi #LegalPodcast
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Episode 18: The Art of Driving Defense Lawyers Crazy
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™ podcast, Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi break down the tactics that send defense lawyers into a spiral and explain why that’s not only strategic but also necessary.
Welcome to the “Flim Flam Sauce”, the unapologetic art of getting under opposing counsel’s skin without ever crossing a line. From the perfectly executed “head fake” (where you let your opponent walk into their own trap) to exposing moral hypocrisy in open court, Karen and Mo show how controlled provocation can shift power, pressure the truth, and tilt the playing field back toward justice.
They also confront the legal profession’s obsession with “civility.” Because when your client’s case is on the line, making the other side comfortable should never be the priority.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 17: Goal Setting, Dreams, and the People Who Shape Them
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™ podcast, Karen, Mo, and Mike dive into the raw, reflective, and often uncomfortable goal-setting process. What is the real difference between a dream and a goal, and what happens when your deepest values get in the way of both? Karen shares the personal letter she wrote ahead of the firm’s attorney retreat, sparking a conversation about how our ambitions evolve with time, experience, and the people we choose to keep close.
They unpack what makes a goal realistic, why fairness and respect are non-negotiables, and how the company you keep can either derail your path or help you rise.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 16: In Defense of Flip-Flopping: Why Adaptability Matters in Law
Karen Koehler opens up about her so-called "flip-flopping," her tendency to change her mind, and reframes it as one of her greatest strengths. From trial tactics to law firm management, she explains how adaptability and quick pivots are crucial in high-stakes litigation.
Mo Hamoudi and podcast producer Mike Todd, jump in to discuss what it’s like working with someone who never sticks to the same plan for long and why that unpredictability actually works.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 15: Why We Suck at Celebrating Wins
It’s been a week of big wins. Sanctions against Amazon. Settlements in multiple cases. Momentum heading into trial. And yet, instead of celebrating, Karen and Mo are back in the office...working?
In this episode, Karen and Mo (and Mike) talk honestly about the emotional highs and nonstop pressure of doing plaintiff work at the highest level. From courtroom takedowns to the rush of controlling a trial, they share what actually makes this work feel good and why they rarely pause to enjoy it.
They also reflect on how the firm used to celebrate as a team, and how that tradition quietly faded. This conversation becomes a reminder that when the entire firm helps secure a win, the entire firm deserves to feel it. Not just the lawyers. Everyone.
If you’ve ever struggled to slow down or feel like you need permission to celebrate, this one is for you.
🎧 Listen to Episode 15 of The Velvet Hammer™: “Why We Suck at Celebrating Wins” Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 14: Why Trial Lawyers Must Talk About Money (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)
Is money the most uncomfortable topic in the courtroom? For many trial lawyers, yes. But when it comes to representing injured clients, avoiding money talk is not an option.
In this candid episode, Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi talk about what it really means to ask for money in court. They explore why trial lawyers often feel shame or awkwardness around damages, how verdicts are tied to human value, and why getting comfortable with money is non-negotiable for plaintiff attorneys.
Karen shares how she overcame years of discomfort to connect with juries on the topic of loss. Mo opens up about growing up poor and how his relationship with money is evolving now that he represents plaintiffs. They also discuss the $10 million Black Lives Matter settlement and how it gave a voice to protesters who were ignored for years.
This is a must-listen for any lawyer who has ever struggled with the ask.
👉 If this episode challenged your thinking, leave us a review, share it with a fellow lawyer, or drop a comment.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 13: Karen’s Journal Entry at 19: Crisis is Perpetual
At 19, Karen wrote a stream of consciousness that no one had ever read. Until now. In this episode, she shares that handwritten journal entry and opens up a conversation with Mo about identity, ambition, burnout, and what it means to be a lawyer who feels deeply.
They talk about the pressure to conform, the toll of suppressing emotion in the legal world, and how writing has always been Karen’s way of pushing back against the mold. What starts as a reading of teenage chaos turns into a powerful reflection on staying human in a profession that doesn’t always reward it.
This is for anyone who’s ever wanted to run away and, instead, chose to write their way through.
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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 12: What Compels Us to Become Lawyers
Content note: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, trauma, and mental health challenges, including suicidal ideation. Please take care while watching.
Karen reads a college essay she wrote at 18, predicting her future as a civil rights lawyer. Mo shares his contrasting journey through trauma, poverty, and survival. Together they explore what drives someone to pursue law, how early life shapes purpose, and why two people with such different paths ended up in the same courtroom.
Subscribe for more raw conversations from the legal world.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:30 Karen reads her college essay from 1979
00:09:20 Mo shares his childhood and trauma
00:20:21 The lesson that saved Mo’s life
00:26:42 The power of presence in law and life
00:34:01 You’re not alone
🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast
Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 11: The Unlikeable Client
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic violence, including descriptions of abuse. Please listen with care.
What happens when your client isn’t someone a jury might naturally root for? In this episode, Karen and Mo dive into one of the hardest parts of plaintiff law: working with clients who the public might not find sympathetic. From pulling a client out of a drug house before a deposition to representing someone with a complicated criminal past, they get real about the emotional, ethical, and strategic decisions behind client management.
Karen shares the story of her very first employment case against Boeing in the ‘90s, her trial against the City of Redmond involving a riotous plaintiff and a cow named Molly, and how her upbringing shaped her no-nonsense boundaries. Mo opens up about how his own history led him to seek understanding and redemption, even for clients whose stories mirror deeply personal pain.
Together, they unpack the moral calculus behind representing difficult people and what it means to believe that justice belongs to everyone, not just the likable.
🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast
Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 12: Sanctions, Sanctions, Sanctions – Read All About It
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™, Karen and Mo dive into the wild world of sanctions. What they are, why they matter, and how defense firms push the limits. Karen starts with her first sanctions victory in the 90s, then they walk through three recent cases.
They also break down how power structures inside law firms impact who takes the fall and why some judges are finally doing something about it.
If you’ve ever wondered how discovery violations actually play out, or what it looks like when a judge says enough, this episode lays it all out.
Subscribe to The Velvet Hammer™ for more behind-the-scenes insight from the plaintiff side.
🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast
Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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🔥 New episodes every Wednesday
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Episode 9: Responding to Listener Feedback That Took Us by Surprise
Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi planned to revisit their worst courtroom arguments, but listener feedback completely changed the conversation. Some reactions were protective, some were critical, and all were thought-provoking.
Was it a power move? Was Mo being shut down? Karen and Mo unpack the unexpected responses, challenge assumptions, and dive into the deeper dynamics of presence, persuasion, and perception. From personal reflections to the realities of being a trial lawyer, this episode is an unfiltered look at power, confidence, and the ways we take up space.
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Why Listener Feedback Matters
04:27 – Young Muhammad & Navigating Personal Space
12:27 – Gender, Power & Perception in the Courtroom
20:56 – How Karen Changed the Office Culture
30:32 – "You’re Not Here to Make Friends" – A Defining Career Moment
34:35 – Wrapping Up & What’s Next for the Podcast
💬 What do you think? Were you surprised by this feedback? Do you agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments.
🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast
Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
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Episode 8: The Worst Arguments We’ve Ever Made (And What We Learned) - Part 1
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast, Karen Koehler & Mo Hamoudi dive into some of the worst courtroom arguments they've ever made and the tough lessons that came with them.
From being thrown to the wolves in court as a young attorney to completely missing a hearing due to a calendar mishap, they break down the moments that shaped them as trial lawyers. Along the way, they explore how legal practice has changed with technology, the evolving mindset of juries post-pandemic, and why critical thinking is more important than ever in law.
The conversation takes a few detours, but that’s just how they roll—so buckle up for a mix of humor, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom.
🎧 Timestamps:
0:00 - The Struggle of Cold Weather & Commuting
3:45 - Our Most Embarrassing Courtroom Moments
12:30 - The Case of Garlic as a “Drug”
20:15 - Missing a Court Hearing & Learning the Hard Way
25:00 - How Technology Has Changed Legal Practice
30:00 - Wrapping Up (And Planning Part 2!)
🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast
Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook
📬 Questions or topic ideas? Email us at thevelvethammerpodcast@stritmatter.com
🔥 New episodes every Wednesday
Subscribe for bold takes, heartfelt moments, and the unfiltered reality of what it means to live and lead as a trial lawyer at Stritmatter Law.