Episode 17: Lawyer Burnout and How It Can Affect Clients

This is Part 3 of a three-part series on mental and physical health for trial lawyers.

In this episode of The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast, Karen Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd have an honest conversation about lawyer burnout, mental health, substance abuse culture in the legal profession, and the dangerous reality of the “just keep going” mentality. Karen reflects on years of pushing through exhaustion while leading a law firm during the pandemic. Mo describes burnout as becoming untethered from yourself, losing meaning, and operating without purpose. Mike explains how burnout disconnects people from the things they once loved and how quickly that spiral can affect judgment, work, and relationships.

🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast

Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.

Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer.

Watch full episodes on YouTube
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📬 Questions or topic ideas? Email us at thevelvethammerpodcast@stritmatter.com

🔥 New episodes every Wednesday
Subscribe for bold takes, heartfelt moments, and the unfiltered reality of what it means to live and lead as a trial lawyer at Stritmatter Law.

Episode 16: Mental Health and Burnout in Trial Law

This is Part 2 of a three-part series on mental and physical health for trial lawyers.

Trial lawyers are trained to push through. Keep going. Don’t show weakness. So what happens when the pressure starts to build?

In this episode, Karen Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd take on something most lawyers avoid discussing: burnout is real, and pretending it isn’t can cost you more than your case.

Mo shares how close he’s come to burning out and why he stopped hiding it, even when it’s been used against him. Karen pushes back on the culture of law itself, calling it egotistical, performative, and disconnected from being human.

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review telling us how you manage stress when the pressure doesn’t let up.

🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast

Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.

Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer.

Watch full episodes on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook
📬 Questions or topic ideas? Email us at thevelvethammerpodcast@stritmatter.com

🔥 New episodes every Wednesday
Subscribe for bold takes, heartfelt moments, and the unfiltered reality of what it means to live and lead as a trial lawyer at Stritmatter Law.

Season 6, Episode 15: The need to take care of yourself in the practice of law

This is Part 1 of a three-part series on mental and physical health for trial lawyers.

Karen, Mo, and Mike discuss the need for mental and physical health and how to manage it in your practice.

🎧 Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast

Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.

Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer.

Watch full episodes on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook
📬 Questions or topic ideas? Email us at thevelvethammerpodcast@stritmatter.com

🔥 New episodes every Wednesday
Subscribe for bold takes, heartfelt moments, and the unfiltered reality of what it means to live and lead as a trial lawyer at Stritmatter Law.