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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
127 episodes
The Worst Arguments We’ve Ever Made (And What We Learned)
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 attor...
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25:56
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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 connec...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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39:54
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The "Prototype Lawyer" and Losing Identity in Law | Part 1
Does becoming a lawyer mean losing yourself? Karen and Mo explore how individuality gets replaced by the expectations of being a “prototype lawyer.” From youthful idealism to fitting the corporate mold, they share how they changed to be taken s...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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15:06
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When Defense Lawyers Weaponize Discovery Requests
#124 - How 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, a...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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29:40
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Sexism In the Legal Field
#123 - Have 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 legal field, the constant battle for credi...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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39:59
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Misconceptions, Control, and Breaking the Mold
#122 - In 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 discuss:🔹 Why Karen became a lawyer—and the early lessons i...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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20:17
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Finding Humor in the Hardest Cases
#121 - How 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 a profession filled with tragedy. From life-or-death ...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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12:12
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Introducing Mo – From Public Defender to Stritmatter Lawyer
#120 - Welcome 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 ...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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9:52
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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...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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18:51
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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...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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18:27
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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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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18:34
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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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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16:28
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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...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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18:33
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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...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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20:17
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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...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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23:26
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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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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28:00
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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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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12:57
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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. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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19:59
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Lame late tactical apology - not accepted
In this episode of The Velvet Hammer, Karen Koehler discusses lame late tactical apologies.
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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18:31
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On aggressiveness: a mandatory trial lawyer trait
In this episode of the Velvet Hammer, Seattle trial lawyer Karen Koehler discusses the quality of being aggressive as an attorney.
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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25:04
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The grief of losing a trial
In this episode of the Velvet Hammer, Seattle trial lawyer Karen Koehler describes the grief of losing a trial.
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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27:47
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The human toll of being in trial a lot
In this episode of the Velvet Hammer, Seattle trial lawyer Karen Koehler discusses the toll of being in trial a lot.
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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28:11
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