“The Velvet Hammer” Blog

Posts tagged public speaking

Journey to the retreat...in Estes Park

Journey to the retreat...in Estes Park

Since covid entered the world, have dramatically curtailed speaking travel. But times are changing. And when the request comes in from the Colorado trial lawyers women’s caucus. I say yes. Even though Anne says: are you suuuuuurrrrreeeee. And wags her eyebrows at me.

We had just turned down Wyoming because there was no direct flight and it would have been an 8 hour trip. But this one is a simple flight to Denver which is not far away. Then an hour and a half drive to the resort. Piece of cake I enthuse. Anne gives me a knowing look.

humanKaren KoehlerJune 1, 2023women, teaching, traveling lawyer, public speaking

Civil rights matter: Seattle peaceful protester complaint gets filed.

Civil rights matter: Seattle peaceful protester complaint gets filed.

Two months ago we filed a dozen tort claims with the city and state. For peaceful protesters who were hurt by the police or in Summer Taylor’s case - killed - while protesting for BLM. We then needed to wait 60 days before filing the suit.

Instead of having down time, we began drafting the complaint. I had the great role of being the boss of all and handed out assignments.

Karen KoehlerSeptember 26, 2020media, public speaking, blm, complaint

Getting mad at me for asking for public justice

Getting mad at me for asking for public justice

Judge Oishi begins the arraignment: The defense has filed a motion to prohibit media from filming the defendant.

Defense counsel rises and makes his case for why the cameras should not alight upon his client. This is in the form of a type of opening statement.

Karen KoehlerJuly 23, 2020motion, public speaking, courthouse

How to give a Covid TV interview

How to give a Covid TV interview

The media wants his story. Collect a list from his relatives. Call first reporter. Tell her 11:00 tomorrow. At my office. We will have social distance protocols in place. She says no can do. We are still in phase 1.5 and they cannot come in for a story. Hmmm.

Karen KoehlerJune 13, 2020media, public speaking, covid-19

Phuong Dinh The Brave to give commencement address

Phuong Dinh The Brave to give commencement address

Two extra years were needed for Phuong to graduate from North Seattle College after she was almost killed in the Ride the Ducks crash on the Aurora Bridge on September 24, 2015. She missed one whole year due to being at Harborview and the Kiero Rehabilitation Home. When she was able to enter school her injuries required her to take reduced loads. Including fitting in a total hip replacement surgery during winter break 2017. Phuong was the lead plaintiff in the Ride the Ducks trial that occurred from October 1 2018 through February 7, 2019.

Karen KoehlerMay 20, 2019ride the ducks, public speaking, client

A trip to Arkansas to speak at their annual convention.

A trip to Arkansas to speak at their annual convention.

Thursday:

6:30 am wake

7:00 am get up

8:00 am go for run with Nala

9:30 am return home get ready grab suitcase. Email from insurance attorney – they will take out that language.

10:15 am Drop Nala off at Doggie Daycare. Drive to airport

10:45 am arrive

Karen KoehlerApril 28, 2019lawyer convention, public speaking, traveling lawyer

The story of the cutest worst hotel and a sample product liability complaint

The story of the cutest worst hotel and a sample product liability complaint

Speak in Sun Valley at Idaho Trial Lawyer Convention in the morning. Then on a panel in the afternoon. Leave at 3:30. This means I cannot fly direct to LAX because that plane is gone. Instead have to fly back to Seattle to then fly to LAX. Arrive at 10:45 p.m. Taxi to The Line Hotel. Arrive at 11:30 p.m.

Karen KoehlerJune 21, 2016complaint, lawyer seminar, public speaking

A convention speech and run around Gray's Lake, Des Moines Iowa

A convention speech and run around Gray's Lake, Des Moines Iowa

Get up before alarm rings at 6. This means it is really 4. Flop back on bed. Alarm rings at 6:15.

Search around for hotel phone on night table. Don’t find it. Sigh. It is on the other side of the bed. Scramble across. Hit “O”. Ask for front desk. It is front desk. Can I get a late check out. Yes.

Karen KoehlerNovember 10, 2014lawyer convention, public speaking, traveling lawyer, lawyer schedule

Paul Luvera's special timer

Paul Luvera's special timer

Paul Luvera tried a huge case a few months ago. And won. At the age of 78. (Here's his bio).

I have admired (borderline worshipped) Paul over the years for his skill in trial. Several times I've gone to watch. What struck me, was the way he so gracefully prowled the courtroom floor. And owned it.

Karen KoehlerMarch 11, 2014great people, lawyer convention, public speaking

Voir Dire PPT from WSBA speech

Karen KoehlerOctober 31, 2013public speaking, bar association, voir dire, lawyer seminar, teaching

On liking and empowering your own voice

On liking and empowering your own voice

Listening to my own voice used to pain me. I avoided it. Couldn't stand it. It seemed too high. Too sweet. And if I didn't remember to tuck my tongue in, there was a lisp. Oh, how much I yearned for a deep booming voice. So I could preach when I spoke. Like M.L.K.

Karen KoehlerSeptember 30, 2013public speaking, teaching, women

The honor of introducing Rick Friedman as WSAJ's trial lawyer of the year

Karen KoehlerJuly 29, 2013great people, lawyer convention, public speaking, wsaj

Todd's amazing speaker intro: sings, stomps and plays the harmonica

Todd's amazing speaker intro: sings, stomps and plays the harmonica

Am at Burlington for Vermont's annual convention. Todd Schlossberg comes up to the podium to give my introduction. What he does next is the single best introduction I've ever witnessed at a trial lawyer seminar in my whole entire life. Am not exaggerating.

Karen KoehlerMay 17, 2013legal convention, public speaking, video

Voir Dire...as a social gathering via Spreecast

Voir Dire...as a social gathering via Spreecast

What the heck is a spreecast.

Why so glad you asked. But can't quite explain it to you. Because still not exactly sure.

Mitch Jackson, asks me to do one with him. On voir dire.

Karen KoehlerMay 13, 2013voir dire, public speaking, teaching

Talking Head interviews Bouncy Ball Lawyer (Me)

Talking Head interviews Bouncy Ball Lawyer (Me)

Am speaking for Avvo at their Lawyernomics seminar this weekend.

Colin O'Keefe of Lexblog is doing video interviews. My job is to explain why it is important for lawyers to show personality. This video is hilarious because...well..

Karen KoehlerApril 23, 2013lawyer seminar, public speaking, teaching, video

Comedians at Law Podcasts with The Velvet Hammer

Comedians at Law Podcasts with The Velvet Hammer

Once upon a time four young lawyers decided they hated practicing law. So they became comedians. Part of their gig involved creating a podcast. Which they needed content for.

One day one of the comedians, Matt Ritter, saw that The Velvet Hammer blog was the number one trial practice blog for the ABA. He thought that was neat. Called. And the rest is comedians at law podcast history.

Karen KoehlerFebruary 15, 2013public speaking

Top 10 Tips from a Voice Coach

I teach trial advocacy with Judith Shahn who is a voice coach. Judy has been a senior lecturer at the University of Washington's School of Drama since 1990.

Here are Judy's top suggestions for more effective speaking...

Karen KoehlerJanuary 17, 2013public speaking, teaching

Giving Honor to His Honor

Giving Honor to His Honor

We are packed in his former office building. Reminiscing. Rubbing elbows. Smiling and sometimes shedding tears. Marveling over the career of this brilliant man.

Born over a gas station in rural Washington. Becoming one of the best plaintiff trial lawyers the state has ever seen. President of the trial lawyers. President of the state bar. And finally Supreme Court Justice. We are here to honor Tom Chambers.

Karen KoehlerDecember 13, 2012friends, mentors, great people, public speaking

Just how dreadful is it to say "um" and "like" to an audience

Just how dreadful is it to say "um" and "like" to an audience

Mary Fung cured me from saying "um" when I was still a teenager. Here's what she would do:

Count out loud each time I said um
Tell me how silly I sounded
Tell anyone within earshot how silly I sounded

This is what any good Tiger Mom and in her case - Dragon Lady Mom would have done.

Karen KoehlerJune 15, 2012public speaking

The last class

The last class

The teams are putting on the final trial. It is our last class of the year. The seventh year Bill Bailey and I have taught trial advocacy together at the UW. (He's a professor on staff now in the law school)

Rush around all day doing our regular lawyer stuff. Inch along thru rush hour traffic to get to the school by 5:30. Stomachs often rumbling. Sometimes choke down a power bar.

Karen KoehlerJune 12, 2012great people, public speaking, teaching, mentors