One year ago, Seattle experienced its worst traffic disaster. A converted amphibious military vehicle built for World War II went across the center line of our most notorious bridge into the side of a school bus. Five international students were killed and over 50 more students, tourists, and others were injured. Firefighters who performed the rescue operations still become emotional when thinking about the disaster.
Read MoreTechnology is changing the way we are able to visualize everything. This 3D imaging study shows a picture that makes more sense to us than would a simple xray.
In this case, a worker was killed on the job when he was installing a defective device. The electrical system in the piece of equipment had been negligently manufactured. When he started to install it, the device shorted and launched like a rocket into his face. He survived the impact but died in the hospital about a month later.
Read MoreSetting: We are in a downtown Seattle conference room. The sky is deep blue. The sun is shining. Its rays bounce like mirrors off the skyscrapers and rippling waterways below us. Eric the videographer is at the far end of the table. Jane the court reporter is her usual excellent self. Cheryl our medical negligence paralegal is by my side. Across the table are the defense lawyers. In front of a gray screen sits the witness. The defense side is somber. I am feisty. We are about an hour an a half into the deposition.
Read MoreLast evening a senior defense attorney, sent out an email to a large group of about 50 or so attorneys (all on the same case) that announced I was "a forceful and vociferous advocate" for my clients.
She didn't mean this as a compliment.
Read MoreI have a job that is part of my soul. This means I fight for my clients with every ounce of my being. Sometimes people (typically those I sue) don't like that.
The owner of Ride the Ducks Seattle is Brian Tracey. He has been investigating me by reading my Twitter feed, watching tv and reading the news. After completing his studies he filed a declaration to support a motion to prevent dissemination of discovery materials in the 20 cases we have filed against his business for the death and injury of victims of the Ride the Duck Aurora Bridge crash.
Read MoreDo you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?
I leave Nala at home. Today is a half day mediation. At my office. We will be done by 1:00. I can then come home and let her out. She will be fine for four hours.
The mediation drags a bit. Colleen Barrett is the mediator. First time I've used her. She was a defense attorney. Had several cases against her. Always liked her.
Read MoreSpeak 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.
Read MoreJune 1, 2016 3:31 PM
Hi Karen, I recently came across your post on "The Velvet Hammer" blog describing purported excerpts from John Henry Browne's emails to you during communications over the lawsuit involving Tracy McNamara. I am interested in speaking with you about this when you have some free time. Please give me a call. Thanks,
Lewis Kamb, Reporter The Seattle Times
Read MoreOn Monday I called an attorney an A_S.
Now you may be thinking Karen Karen Karen. But I didn't lose my temper. I stated a fact.
One day when I came home from work many years ago, the nanny smiled and said - your daughters told me that yesterday you said the S word. Cristina, Alysha and Noelle started giggling. Raised their little eyebrows. Waited for Marlenee Beenee (actual name Marlene) to scold me. Or better yet - as she had done to Alysha - wash my mouth out with soap.
Read MoreI haven't answered phone calls. Or returned emails or texts. I've just stayed in the cocoon of our close family. My sisters and brother, our children and in laws have been grieving together and working together in preparation for mom's celebration of life this weekend. It has all been quite hideous and wonderful all at the same time.
Read MoreThis week we celebrated Clare's 30 years of service to the Washington State Association for Justice. I met Clare when it was named WSTLA - the trial lawyer's association. The entire time I've known her she's run the legal education department.
Of all the committees I've worked on over the years, WSTLA/WSAJ CLE was my favorite.
Read MoreTrial day 1:
Instead of doing her usual acrobatic routine, Nala is curled up around my feet. On the little rug in front of the sink. I glance up at the little crystal clock on the shelf. It says 6:10 which means it is 7:10 since the clocks sprang forward Sunday. Haven’t changed it yet. The mental math keeps me sharp. Or so I tell myself.
Read MoreWhere the heck have I been. Well, I started writing a book. I write it mainly when on airplanes. Decided I wouldn't blog until the book was finished. But then changed my mind.
Since the last time I wrote here, we moved our office three miles down the street. We are in the top floor of a 1970s fishing company building that we bought and are in the process of refurbishing.
Read MoreMs. A (she of the 257 objections ) is defending another deposition. This time of an electrical expert. Her stream of objections has not changed course since Mr. T's deposition.
I challenge her on the record. This is to satisfy CR 26i should I decide to bring a motion:
K3: What's wrong with the form? I think you're being abusive with the objections.
A: You're not setting a foundation, you're just saying -- you're making conclusory statements and then asking him about it. He has nothing to say that --
Read MoreThe Tale of Mr. T has one more chapter. Following part 2 of his deposition, I am on a seminar panel for AAJ in Montreal along with Federal Judge Bennett. He is talking about his now famous order sanctioning a national defense firm for deposition abuse. His speech is exceptional. He urges us to not be content with the minimum bar set by court rules . To strive for a higher ethical standard. He is inspirational on so many levels.
Read MoreOh goodie. Oh goodie. Yay. Yippee.
We are up here at the cabin. Am looking out the window in the living room. Watching her carry the little blue kayak down the hill. She is trying to mimic Sol who balances the big kayaks on top of his head. Oops. There it goes over to the left. She hefts it up. Then it slops over again. She looks like a wobbly blue turtle as she makes her way down.
Read MoreI can’t begin to say what I truly think of this article. Clap Clap Clap. Happy Dance. Yay.
The practice of law is a noble profession. Getting clients through foul means is crap.
Read MorePsychodrama is popular in trial lawyer circles. This weekend it is taught at our trial lawyer convention. I do not attend. Happily.
I don't care for the term psychodrama. I've heard many good reviews from friends and colleagues. I know many of the people who teach it. But honestly, just hearing the word psychodrama causes a bit of a nose wrinkling reaction deep within me.
Read MoreA male news anchor from Australia wore the same suit every day for a year - changing his shirt and tie - and no one noticed. He did this to prove a point after becoming frustrated with the constant criticisms levied by the public against his female co-anchor's appearance.
"No one has noticed; no one gives a s**t. But women, they wear the wrong colour and they get pulled up. Women are judged much more harshly and keenly for what they do, what they say and what they wear."
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