.png)
The Velvet Hammer™
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 inside—and outside—the courtroom.
Episodes
134 episodes
Why We Suck at Celebrating Wins
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 offi...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 15
•
20:08
.png)
Why 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, avoid...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 14
•
46:42
.png)
Karen’s Journal Entry at 19: Crisis is Perpetual
Episode 13: Karen’s Journal Entry at 19: Crisis is PerpetualAt 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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 13
•
42:53
.png)
What Compels Us to Become Lawyers
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....
•
Season 5
•
Episode 12
•
38:41
.png)
The Unlikeable Client
Episode 11: The Unlikeable ClientTrigger 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 mig...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 11
•
39:48
.png)
Sanctions, Sanctions, Sanctions - Read All About It
Episode 12: Sanctions, Sanctions, Sanctions – Read All About ItIn 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 limi...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 10
•
46:14
.png)
Responding to Listener Feedback That Took Us by Surprise
Episode 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 w...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 9
•
35:07
.png)
The Worst Arguments We’ve Ever Made (And What We Learned) - Part 1
Episode 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 an...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 8
•
25:56
.png)
The "Prototype Lawyer" and Losing Identity in Law | Part 2
Episode 7: The "Prototype Lawyer" and Losing Identity in Law | Part 2In 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 ...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 7
•
39:54
.png)
The "Prototype Lawyer" and Losing Identity in Law | Part 1
Episode 6: The "Prototype Lawyer" and Losing Identity in Law | Part 1Does becoming a lawyer mean losing yourself? Karen and Mo explore how individuality gets replaced by the expectations of being a “prototype lawyer.” From ...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 6
•
15:06
.png)
When Defense Lawyers Weaponize Discovery Requests
Episode 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 th...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 5
•
29:40
.png)
Sexism In the Legal Field
Episode 4: Sexism In the Legal FieldHave you ever walked into a room and been completely dismissed based on how you look? Karen has—too many times to count.In this episode, Karen and Mo get real about sexism in the...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 4
•
39:59
.png)
Misconceptions, Control, and Breaking the Mold
Episode 3: Misconceptions, Control, and Breaking the MoldIn this episode, Karen and Mo dive into misconceptions about trial lawyers, the myth of control, and the challenges of breaking from the legal establishment. They dis...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 3
•
20:17
.png)
Finding Humor in the Hardest Cases
Episode 2: Finding Humor in the Hardest CasesHow do you carry the weight of the world without letting it crush you?In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™, Karen and Mo explore the essential role of humor in...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 2
•
12:12
.png)
Introducing Mo – From Public Defender to Stritmatter Lawyer
Episode 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 every...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 1
•
9:52
.png)
Finding Free Time: The Unfamiliar Territory of a Trial Lawyer
#112 - In this episode, The Velvet Hammer, Karen Koehler, takes us inside the rarest of occurrences—having free time. As someone who thrives on the chaos of running a law firm and being a trial lawyer, Karen shares the weird feeling of clearing...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 7
•
18:51
.png)
Waiting for a verdict.
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer, Karen Koehler opens up about the emotional weight that follows the end of a trial. From the anxiety of waiting for a jury verdict to the personal sacrifices made during trial, Karen shares the chal...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 6
•
18:27
.png)
Talking about me behind my back.
Join us as Karen Koehler explores the power of defying expectations, the courage to disrupt, and the journey of being unapologetically yourself. Discover how she handles being talked about behind her back and the strength it takes to stay true ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 5
•
18:34
.png)
Meandering thoughts on the joy of starting trial again
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer, Karen Koehler sits down to record before she begins another trial in Seattle. She discusses her love for the courtroom, leading an all-female legal team, and why retirement isn't on her radar. Kohler ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 4
•
16:28
.png)
Framing the media message to honor and protect your clients
Join Karen Koehler in this episode of The Velvet Hammer as she shares how her team's adept maneuvering around the City of Seattle's media embargo was crucial in honoring and protecting their clients during the George Floyd BLM peaceful proteste...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 3
•
18:33
.png)
Life on overdrive: won’t stop can’t stop. Can she slow down?
In this candid episode of "The Velvet Hammer," seasoned trial lawyer Karen Kohler takes listeners behind the scenes of her intense and demanding career, revealing the struggles and triumphs that come with fighting high-stakes legal battles. Aft...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 2
•
20:17
.png)
Why I let sexual microaggressions slide – and wish I hadn’t.
This episode of The Velvet Hammer provides listeners with an eye-opening glimpse into the challenges faced by women in the legal profession. Karen delves into uncomfortable encounters she's experienced over the years in her legal career, explor...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 1
•
23:26
.png)
Karen Gets Coached. Lesson #1 - Acknowledgment.
As the managing partner of The Stritmatter Firm, Karen's role extends beyond a trial lawyer. In this episode of The Velvet Hammer, Karen discusses her recent experiences with two Communication Coaches, one for firm-wide matters and another for ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 20
•
28:00
.png)
Dear big bad defense lawyer. Bring it on.
In this episode of the Velvet Hammer, Seattle trial lawyer Karen Koehler shares her experiences dealing with the big bad insurance defense lawyers. From their pack mentality to the insufferable superiority complex, Karen is a street punk ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 19
•
12:57
.png)
Drunk Driver Horror Stories
In this episode of the Velvet Hammer, Seattle trial lawyer Karen Koehler discusses the devastating consequences of drunk driving, her frustration with the delayed legal processes, and the need for stricter accountability for drunk drivers. ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 18
•
19:59
.png)