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. 

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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'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

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'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

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'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

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'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

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'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

Episode 7: The "Prototype Lawyer" and Losing Identity in Law | Part 2

In Part 2 of The Prototype Lawyer series, Karen and Mo break down what it really means to step outside the mold of a traditional lawyer. Karen shares a candid story about her first trial, where mistakes, authenticity, and a jury connection shaped her approach to law.

They explore how law school conditions lawyers to imitate rather than innovate, why breaking the "prototype lawyer" mold leads to better advocacy, and how unpredictability can be a powerful tool in the courtroom.

From courtroom poetry to Muppet Chef humor, this episode challenges the rigid expectations of the legal world.

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