“The Velvet Hammer” Blog

Posts tagged traveling lawyer

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

Vacation - what vacation.

Vacation - what vacation.

By order of my children, spent two weeks in Europe. Went with Michael for week one in London. Week two Liz my friend since kindergarten met me in Paris. It was very fun and easy. Cristina planned everything to perfection. I just had to show up.

Karen KoehlerOctober 8, 2019traveling lawyer

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

No... I'm not the client

No... I'm not the client

Defense counsel and I walk up to the Taney County Courthouse in Missouri. There is a red sign in the middle of the entrance door that says no cell phones or other electronic devices allowed in building.

Karen KoehlerJuly 12, 2018traveling lawyer, women

I should never have gotten on the plane.

I should never have gotten on the plane.

uly 10, 2018.

1:30 pm Nala is stepping on my feet. She knows what the suitcase means. Looks mournfully at me as I walk out the door.

Karen KoehlerJuly 11, 2018deposition, traveling lawyer

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

Lift off for Taos in Sonoma

Lift off for Taos in Sonoma

Steve Gursten: I’d like you to consider joining the TAOS group.
K3: What kind of a group is it.
SG: Plaintiff lawyers who have become friends and share advice.
K3: Steve thanks for asking. Honestly, I belong to enough groups.
SG: This is unlike any group you belong to. We are small but geographically diverse. This is a real personal group where we are friends.

Karen KoehlerOctober 11, 2014traveling lawyer

Running the decrepit sidewalks of New Orleans

Running the decrepit sidewalks of New Orleans

Out the revolving door of the Sheraton onto Canal Street. Run across two lanes of traffic, the street car in the middle, two more lanes of traffic and reach the other side. It's late in the afternoon. A nice assortment of unfortunate ragged souls line up against neon lit buildings.

Karen KoehlerFebruary 11, 2014aaj, running, traveling lawyer, lawyer convention

Deposition or Dim Sum - A trial lawyer's adventures in San Francisco

Deposition or Dim Sum - A trial lawyer's adventures in San Francisco

Wake up at 4:15 am. Didn't mean to. Go back to sleep. Wake up 4:45. No. No. No. Close eyes. Alarm rings 5:00. Slide out of bed. It is still dark out. Grope way to closet. Throw on Gray pants with little white polka dots. Flats. Soft sweater. Gray coat. Do ministrations. Zip up already packed suitcase. Hidden in closet because Nala has grown to hate it. She knows what it means. Lap top in carry on. Ipad in purse. Liquids and gels in year old ziplock. Fold up beats headphones Debbie got me. Blanket. Extension cord. Luna bars. Orange, Check off list in head.

Karen KoehlerNovember 14, 2013deposition, lawyer life, lawyer schedule, traveling lawyer

What happens when we forget to check Trip Advisor before booking a hotel

What happens when we forget to check Trip Advisor before booking a hotel

Hotel living is one of the perks of being able to fly to exotic locations (like Portland) for depositions. Here is our email exchange:

From: Karen Koehler
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 2:26 PM
To: John Meyers; Anne Roberson

Greetings from a crappy hotel in Vancouver! ...

Karen KoehlerNovember 7, 2013deposition, traveling lawyer

The un-vacation day 1

The un-vacation day 1

There is nowhere more beautiful than Seattle in the summertime. Decide for once, to remain here and relax rather than go somewhere else for vacation. Have many friends who do this. Watch all their good times on facebook. They explore the city. Stay home and garden. Have friends over. Hang out on the patio.

This is what happens when a trial lawyer decides to take a stay-cation.

Karen KoehlerAugust 6, 2013lawyer life, lawyer schedule, traveling lawyer

AAJ San Francisco - mashup days 1 and 2

AAJ San Francisco - mashup days 1 and 2

Wake up from semi-conscious state just in time to glimpse the wreckage of the Korean jetliner still at the airport. Shuffle off the plane. It is 9:30 a.m.

Find limo driver. Follow him to car. He wants to talk. I want to zone out. Good manners kick in. We talk the whole way. He is quite delightful. If we had more time, I could probably recite his family tree for you.

Karen KoehlerJuly 21, 2013aaj, lawyer convention, lawyer schedule, traveling lawyer

Diary of a mediation in Spokane

Diary of a mediation in Spokane

The alarm is ringing. Try to ignore it, but know cannot. Look at the phone/clock and it is 4:30. As in a.m. Put on ugly red glasses. Only wear them when no one can see me. Like now. Lie there til 4:45. Finally jump up because have to make a plane. Open the drapes. There is a gigantic full moon that seems to be shining a path across puget sound right into my bedroom.

Rush around. Put on black clothing. Tell Nala to get up. Out the door. Drop her at doggie daycare. Make it to the airport by 6. Stand in sluggish security line. Even the special Spokane shuttle line is clogged. No worries. Have time to get a scone and bottle of water from D'Lish.

Karen KoehlerApril 25, 2013lawyer life, lawyer schedule, traveling lawyer, mediation

Mom - I think I just saw something dark run across the room

Mom - I think I just saw something dark run across the room

I think it's a mouse, says Noelle.

What?!

Um. Let me go look. She is in her nighty. Walks on tip toes, bends down, looks under the t.v. cabinet. Jumps up runs back and springs onto bed. Yes, it is.

What?!!!

Karen KoehlerAugust 17, 2012traveling lawyer, funny, family

The treadmill visitor

The treadmill visitor

Am confined to hotel room. Prepping for trial tomorrow. Sniffling. At about 10:30 pm decide to go clear away the fog. The gym is open 24/7. Change into gear. Give one good last blow and head downstairs. Turn on the lights. Utter peace.

This is my time to let my mind roam wherever it wants. Michael Jackson on the ipod. The Olympics on TV. Am watching the high jumpers. About a mile into the run, the door opens. A minx with shaggy (wet) blonde hair tosses her room key onto the treadmill next to me. I sigh at the noise she makes and try to ignore her.

Karen KoehlerAugust 9, 2012funny, lawyer schedule, traveling lawyer

Fargo - Yah

Fargo - Yah

Head jerks forward. Eyes open. Where the heck am I. Are we still in Minneapolis. Can’t figure out if the plane has taken off. Or is landing. It hasn’t taken off. Thirty minutes later we bounce down in Fargo North Dakota.

Alan the Executive Director of the trial lawyer association has texted me to call him. I do. The airport terminal is clean, new and small. At the landing by the escalator, a big tall blond woman is hugging another big tall blond woman in greeting. They appear to be sisters. Talking in a language that is definitely not English.

Karen KoehlerMay 12, 2012traveling lawyer, lawyer schedule, lawyer seminar, lawyer convention

Convention day 2: Party like a rock star

Convention day 2: Party like a rock star

Give the speech. Go for a run. Have the spinal cord litigation group meeting. Smile at the Phoenix Suns wheelchair basketball crew demo. Go on our field trip. Gawk at the brand spanking new disability center. Apparently flirt (according to Cristina) with the very handsome fitness coordinator. Barrio Queen for dinner with a lively group of 12. Arrive back at the hotel at 9:30.

But wait.

Karen KoehlerFebruary 13, 2012aaj, family, lawyer convention, lawyers have fun, traveling lawyer

AAJ convention day 1 - arrival, the Bohms, Whitney and Talking Tom

AAJ convention day 1 - arrival, the Bohms, Whitney and Talking Tom

Suitcase is packed. We are out the door on the way to the airport. Cristina says - did you see the weather report. Um, no Robert said it was in the mid 70s. Seems a cool front is blowing in so minus that by at least 10. I've packed shorts sandles, and a short skirt to give my talk in. Oh great.

Karen KoehlerFebruary 11, 2012aaj, lawyer convention, public speaking, traveling lawyer

Deposition - helping a deponent put foot in mouth

Deposition - helping a deponent put foot in mouth

The plane lands in the Tri Cities. Am on way to rental car. Defendants pull up in a work truck. They are picking up Doug - the defense lawyer. They motion for me to come on over. They want to give me a lift. How sweet is that.

Pull self into smelly dirty diesel. Am wearing jeans so doesn't matter. All good.

Karen KoehlerJanuary 9, 2012deposition, traveling lawyer

Why do people sue?

Why do people sue?

Am in Louisville, Kentucky preparing to give a speech at their annual convention. Two people have randomly greeted me in passing and said "you have a hard act to follow - all the speakers have been great." Should have known this would be prophetic.

Do not like to give recycled speeches. Do not like to memorize anything. Need to FEEL in order for the words to flow well. Lately have been interested in exploring how to reach jurors regardless of their political or religious leanings. Accessing shared core human values. So the topic is a bit obtuse. Particularly where here, am not teaching how to do something in particular - like give an opening or closing statement.

Karen KoehlerSeptember 12, 2011family, lawyer convention, public speaking, traveling lawyer