Shows
The Velvet Hammer™ PodcastDecoding Voir Dire Part 3 | The Jury Selection SeriesEpisode 47: Decoding Voir Dire Part 3 | The Jury Selection SeriesIn Part 2 of our voir dire series, Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi break down what happens when a politically charged case collides with real human bias, and why jury selection can quietly decide the outcome before opening statements ever begin.Karen walks through her damage model and the Starbucks bike scenario that exposes how jurors really think about pain, loss, and responsibility. Mo reflects on trial partner chemistry, Zoom voir dire, and the moment you realize your best juror is now an alternate.
2025-12-2426 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastDecoding Voir Dire Part 2 | The Jury Selection SeriesEpisode 46: Decoding Voir Dire Part 2 | The Jury Selection SeriesIn Part 2 of our five-part jury selection series, Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi break down what really happens when you get 20 minutes to talk to 50 to 60 jurors (and somehow remember who said what). Karen walks through the struck method, why “deselection” used to be the whole game, and how she color-codes jurors fast without a consultant. Mo shares why he learned about voir dire through bartending and why vulnerability is the fastest way to elicit honesty from a room full of strangers. They also get into the...
2025-12-1724 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastDecoding Voir Dire Part 1 | The Jury Selection SeriesEpisode 45: Decoding Voir Dire Part 1 | The Jury Selection SeriesKaren Koehler and Mo Hamoudi kick off a five-part deep dive into voir dire with the question everyone secretly has. What are trial lawyers actually doing when they stand in front of a room full of strangers and start asking personal questions? From calling out bias to reading body language to deciding who stays and who goes, they break down the strategy and the chaos that shape a jury long before opening statements. 🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcas...
2025-12-1023 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastThe Velvet Hammers’ Journey through Bias, Marginalization, and Systemic InequitiesEpisode: Live Podcast - The Velvet Hammers’ Journey through Bias, Marginalization, and Systemic InequitiesRecorded Live on December 2, 2025 1 Ethics Equity Credit - Please visit stritmatter.com/cle for Activity ID. Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi bring their Velvet Hammer Podcast style to an important CLE. This program examines how bias, marginalization, and systemic inequities affect trial lawyers who are BIPOC in Washington State courts. Drawing on first-hand accounts, qualitative data, and professional experiences, Karen and Mo will explore how their lived experiences reflect broader structural and cultural barriers in legal communities and systems....
2025-12-031h 04The Velvet Hammer™ PodcastThe Privilege of Sacrifice as a Trial LawyerEpisode 44: The Privilege of Sacrifice as a Trial LawyerIn this episode of The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast, the group sits down with a simple question: Does being great at your work always require sacrifice? Karen Koehler opens up about a career shaped by long hours, missed moments, and the constant pressure of leading high-stakes cases. She also names what often goes unsaid: the privilege of choosing sacrifice when so many workers never get that choice. Mo Hamoudi shares how sacrifice shaped him long before he ever stepped into a courtroom, and why...
2025-11-1947 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastAnticipating the Loss - When Trial Lawyers Feel It ComingEpisode 41: Anticipating the Loss - When Trial Lawyers Feel It ComingWhen you’ve been in the courtroom long enough, you know the feeling. The slow, heavy dread of a case slipping away. In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™, Karen Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd talk about what it’s like to sense a loss before it happens, both in trial and in life.Karen revisits her 2022 trial against Seattle Children’s Hospital, where every ruling felt stacked against her. Mo shares lessons from his years as a death penalty defense lawyer a...
2025-11-0541 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastConfronting the "Let Them" Philosophy: Trial Lawyers Debate Self-Help CultureKaren Koehler and Mo Hamoudi debate the viral “Let Them” theory by Mel Robbins and whether it works in the real world of trial law. From self-help culture and quick-fix thinking to emotional intelligence, religion, and moral accountability, this episode breaks down what happens when “letting go” meets the practice of law. Mo questions if “let them” is wisdom or avoidance, while Karen tests the idea against real courtroom dynamics, including what would happen if a lawyer actually “let them” in trial. Mike Todd joins to explore the line between healthy boundaries and abandoning responsibility, leading to one conclusion:
2025-10-2228 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastWhen Zoom Replaces Rooms – Navigating the Post-Pandemic Legal PracticeEpisode 38: When Zoom Replaces Rooms – Navigating the Post-Pandemic Legal PracticeKaren Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd tackle one of the most significant shifts in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: the rise of remote everything. From depositions to jury selection to everyday office life, they unpack how the legal world changed when the world shut down. Mo misses the energy of a bustling office, the conversations, the connection, and the shared purpose that only happen in person. Karen values the flexibility and efficiency of remote work, especially for routine legal tasks like dep...
2025-10-1549 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastSticks, Stones, and Strategic Responses: How We Handle Being InsultedHow do you respond when someone insults you? In this episode, Karen Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd explore how their childhood experiences with insults shape their adult mechanisms. Karen reflects on her mother’s “eye for an eye” parenting style, which shaped her fighter mentality. She shares how that mindset evolved into a professional strength, turning insults into strategy and sometimes using others’ underestimations to her advantage in the courtroom. Mike's story takes a darker turn as he recounts a traumatic childhood incident where his father encouraged him to fight older bullies but then stood by w...
2025-10-1032 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastCrossing the Moat - Building Trust Between Attorneys and ClientsIn this episode, Karen Koehler starts with a client who was permanently disfigured and how fast the defense tried to dig through every corner of her life. From medical records to private history, nothing feels off-limits in discovery. Karen and Mo Hamoudi talk about how invasive that process can be, why lawyers need to know everything (even the parts that hurt to say out loud), and how to build trust with a total stranger when the stakes are personal.They get into what it means to “cross the moat,” how lawyers can earn their way inside a clie...
2025-10-0922 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastUnbound: A Woman’s Guide to Power Book ReviewEpisode 35: Unbound: A Woman’s Guide to Power Book ReviewKaren Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd review Unbound: A Woman’s Guide to Power by Kasia Urbaniak. They delve into the meanings of dominance, submission, and influence. Karen Koehler shares her “I’m the boss” fridge purge, Mo Hamoudi explains how walking away from incongruence gave him agency, and Mike Todd reframes power as influence instead of control. Together, they demonstrate that power is about presence, effective communication, and recognizing your desires in work, life, and the courtroom. This book may be writt...
2025-09-1736 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastKeeping Up with KarenEpisode 34: Keeping Up with Karen Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi debate the power of thinking on your feet versus slowing down to choose your words. Karen owns her “borderline manic” speed and explains how fast processing helps her pivot in court and keep juries engaged. Mo pushes back with the benefits of pausing for clarity. Mike Todd weighs in on how different brains process input during live questioning and why both styles can win with a jury.This one is fast, short, and sweet. 🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Ha...
2025-09-1018 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastHow to Interview Clients and Win JuriesEpisode 32: How to Interview Clients and Win JuriesIn 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 “perf...
2025-08-2722 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastPlacing a Monetary Value on the Loss of a Good LifeEpisode 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.Join...
2025-08-1342 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastThe Penis Restraining OrderEpisode 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...
2025-08-0617 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastDEI, WAMs, and Legal Power PlaysEpisode 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...
2025-07-3039 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastMastering the Art of Direct ExaminationEpisode 26: Mastering the Art of Direct ExaminationWhat 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, an...
2025-07-1636 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastSean Combs on Trial: Jury Out For DeliberationEpisode 24: Sean Combs on Trial: Jury Out For DeliberationAs 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 tran...
2025-07-0226 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastConfronting the Money Taboo in Plaintiff WorkEpisode 23: Confronting the Money Taboo in Plaintiff WorkWhat 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...
2025-06-2538 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastThe Art of Driving Defense Lawyers CrazyEpisode 18: The Art of Driving Defense Lawyers CrazyIn 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 ca...
2025-05-2132 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastIn Defense of Flip-Flopping: Why Adaptability Matters in LawEpisode 16: In Defense of Flip-Flopping: Why Adaptability Matters in LawKaren 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. 🎧 Stay Connected with The Velv...
2025-05-0734 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastWhy Trial Lawyers Must Talk About Money (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)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 pla...
2025-04-2346 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastResponding to Listener Feedback That Took Us by SurpriseEpisode 9: Responding to Listener Feedback That Took Us by SurpriseKaren 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...
2025-03-1935 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastThe Worst Arguments We’ve Ever Made (And What We Learned) - Part 1Episode 8: The Worst Arguments We’ve Ever Made (And What We Learned) - Part 1In 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 evolv...
2025-03-1225 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastWhen Defense Lawyers Weaponize Discovery RequestsEpisode 5: When Defense Lawyers Weaponize Discovery RequestsHow far will defense lawyers go to harass and intimidate plaintiffs? In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast, Karen Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and special guest behind the microphone, Mike Todd, expose the most absurd, offensive, and downright unethical discovery requests they've ever seen.From Amazon’s lawyers demanding irrelevant personal details to Ride the Ducks attorneys asking grieving families about their sex lives, this episode exposes the legal bullying tactics defense teams use to break plaintiffs down. 🎧 Stay Connected with The Vel...
2025-02-1929 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastIntroducing Mo – From Public Defender to Stritmatter LawyerEpisode 1: Introducing Mo – From Public Defender to Stritmatter LawyerWelcome to Season 5 of The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast, where Karen Koehler teams up with attorney Mo Hamoudi for honest conversations on law, life, and everything in between.In our first episode, we dive into Mo’s remarkable journey from being a federal public defender to joining The Stritmatter Firm, taking on powerful adversaries and fighting for justice. Along the way, we explore:🔹 Mo’s fascinating past—from owning a clothing store in NYC to making pizzas and bartending🔹 His unexpected cameo...
2025-02-0509 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 17: On being competitive - the good, the bad, and oooh the jealousyOn being competitive - the good, the bad, and oooh the jealousy🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, T...
2021-03-3021 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 16: Judicial smack downsJudicial smack downs 🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook 📬...
2021-03-1828 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 15: How not to do a terrible direct examHow not to do a terrible direct exam🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok &
2021-03-0828 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 14: The wreckage they leave behind: Drunk and high drivers The wreckage they leave behind: Drunk and high drivers🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram,
2021-03-0425 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 13: How to tell a story - on themes and fairy talesHow to tell a story - on themes and fairy tales🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikT...
2020-12-3026 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 12: The braggy lawyerThe braggy lawyer 🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook 📬...
2020-12-2317 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 11: Real versus fake vulnerabilityReal versus fake vulnerability 🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook
2020-12-0927 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 10: Bad things zoom doesBad things zoom does 🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook
2020-12-0224 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 9: An inside look at our first Covid trial Part 1An inside look at our first COVID trial. 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 personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok...
2020-11-0227 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 8: Do not interrupt me: why following the rules and being polite doesn’t always workwhy following the rules and being polite doesn’t always work🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok...
2020-10-0928 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 7: Don’t poop in the zoom – a cautionary tale.Don’t poop in the zoom – a cautionary tale. 🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok &
2020-09-2812 minThe Velvet Hammer™ PodcastS2 Episode 6: Goodbye to an Icon: RBGGoodbye to an Icon: RBG 🎧 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. Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer. Watch full episodes on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok & Faceboo...
2020-09-2120 min