Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi

The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast

Society EN ↓ 194 episodes

Trial lawyers can be real people, too—and this podcast proves it. The Velvet Hammer™ is back, and this time, Karen Koehler isn’t going it alone. Known for her fearless advocacy, bold storytelling, and, yes, even the occasional backwards dress moment, Karen is teaming up with Mo Hamoudi, a lawyer, poet, and storyteller whose empathy and resilience add a whole new dynamic to the show. Together, they’re pulling back the curtain on trial law, diving into bold topics, heartfelt stories, and the messy, hilarious moments that make trial lawyers human. This is an unscripted, raw, and fun take on life...

Author

Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi

Episodes

S1 Episode 43: Confronting racism - the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. 01.06.2020 17:27

The aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. 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 an...

S1 Episode 42: Time to Rant - from insurers taking advantage of covid to further harm plaintiffs, closed courthouses, and racist acts caught on cellphones. 27.05.2020 29:41

Time to Rant: from insurers taking advantage of covid to further harm plaintiffs, closed courthouses, and racist acts caught on cellphones. 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, produc...

S1 Episode 41: He pushed me forward - the story of my partnership with Pat LePley. 26.05.2020 34:32

The story of my partnership with Pat LePley. 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...

S1 Episode 40: Quick as lightening or slow as a slug . 22.05.2020 37:24

Thoughts on how to be efficient 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...

S1 Episode 39: Our fear of failure – one big reason why plaintiff lawyers don’t try more cases. 14.05.2020 34:08

One big reason why plaintiff lawyers don’t try more cases. 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...

S1 Episode 38: Our new normal - from arguing motions to kitchen rule making. 05.05.2020 35:29

Our new normal - from arguing motions to kitchen rule making. With Andrew Ackley. 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 &a...

S1 Episode 37: Post-Covid19 Jury Trials - : thoughts on why and how we should save them 05.05.2020 31:55

Thoughts on why and how we should save them 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...

S1 Episode 36: On not being of the majority - Are you the Court Reporter and other stories. 30.04.2020 32:02

Are you the Court Reporter and other stories 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...

S1 Episode 35: Vulnerability - The Scam 29.04.2020 25:13

Vulnerability - The Scam 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 e...

S1 Episode 34: The meaningless inconvenience of Nala's vomit - when compared to the story of Auntie Helen's death 17.04.2020 16:48

The meaningless inconvenience of Nala's vomit - when compared to the story of Auntie Helen's death 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 Dise...

S1 Episode 33: Shutdown(ish) week 4 03.04.2020 29:01

Trial Lawyers want to control everything...but coronavirus doesn't care 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 & Re...

S1 Episode 32: The diary of Klaus Jimmy Kohler 03.04.2020 30:11

Dad's early years in his own words part 1 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 an...

S1 Episode 31: The tale of the little treadmill fairy 01.04.2020 15:53

Musings on serious multitasking and the potential joy of being interrupted. 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 & Rea...

S1 Episode 30: The Great Enforced Pause 01.04.2020 19:41

Week 4 of a trial lawyer's coronavirus avoidant way of life 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. Produc...

S1 Episode 29: Enter coronavirus – how everything in our law firm has changed 18.03.2020 19:45

How everything in our law firm has changed 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 K...

S 1 Episode 28: Yes…we fight. When we enjoy the constant battle involved in litigation…and when we don’t. 28.02.2020 48:30

When we enjoy the constant battle involved in litigation…and when we don’t. 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 & R...

S1 Episode 26: From being a baby to having a baby - a chat with Cristina my eldest child. 26.02.2020 31:03

A chat with Cristina my eldest child. 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...

S1 Episode 27: Why the phrase “I don’t see color” is a false narrative - thoughts about the lack of progress in diversifying our bar associations and law firms. 26.02.2020 57:04

Thoughts about the lack of progress in diversifying our bar associations and law firms. 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 Wisd...

S1 Episode 25: Fight or Flight response to the Emotional Practice of Law – the importance of breaking barriers that prevent us from humanly connecting to our clients and witnesses 10.02.2020 51:37

The importance of breaking barriers that prevent us from humanly connecting to our clients and witnesses 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 Disembod...

S1 Episode 24: Ode to Tom Chambers – remembering a great trial lawyer, supreme court justice, mentor and friend. 05.02.2020 46:58

Remembering a great trial lawyer, supreme court justice, mentor and friend. 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 & Rea...

S1 Episode 23: Fighting Civilly or Not - Thoughts about trying to be nice in litigation. 30.01.2020 33:54

Thoughts about trying to be nice in litigation. 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 a...

S1 Episode 22: Mary Fung Koehler - Lessons from the absolutely most unique and fiery trial lawyer mommy ever 28.01.2020 22:33

Lessons from the absolutely most unique and fiery trial lawyer mommy ever. 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 & Rea...

S1 Episode 21: Life with mommy lawyer - Alysha Koehler talks frankly about lack of work/life boundaries, bad cooking, and growing up as a trial lawyer’s daughter. 10.01.2020 33:35

Alysha Koehler talks frankly about lack of work/life boundaries, bad cooking, and growing up as a trial lawyer’s daughter. 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 enginee...

S1 Episode 20: Mediation games - the bane of a trial lawyer’s existence. 02.01.2020 42:27

The bane of a trial lawyer’s existence. 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 Kassi...

S1 Episode 19: Defense Deposition tactics that drive me nuts 18.12.2019 35:17

Defense Deposition tactics that drive me nuts 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...