Karen Kathryn Koehler
also known as The Velvet Hammer
About Karen
Biography
My practice is limited to complex high stakes catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. I achieved a $123M verdict against Ride the Ducks in 2019 and a $43M verdict in a motorcycle v. vehicle case in 2022. In 2024, the City of Seattle paid $10M to settle the Black Lives Matter peaceful protester case that I led. I have obtained numerous 7 and 8 figure results for clients with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, polytrauma, and for survivors of those who have been killed. The types of cases range from product liability and medical negligence to highway design, motor vehicle crashes, civil rights and in 2022 I achieved a $3.5M verdict in a civil murder case. I have a strong reputation in the legal community and speak around the country for trial lawyer organizations. I have lived in Seattle since the age of 4, and have 3 children and grandchildren. The Velvet Hammer Podcast has been in production since 2020 and is now a video podcast.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
33%-40%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 40 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1985
No misconduct found
Location
Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore
3600 15th Ave W, Suite 300, Seattle, WA, 98119
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Karen Kathryn Koehler's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
8 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews
Posted by John | May 08, 2014 | Personal Injury
Five-star personal injury attorney
I would highly recommend Karen to anyone dealing with a personal injury case. The legal process may be slow and complicated, but Karen's office allowed me to keep living my life with minimal inconvenience as my case progressed. I always felt confident that Karen had my best interest in mind and I was...
Posted by Dorothey | May 02, 2013 | Personal Injury
Karen Koehler is top notch
Karen and her staff were not only amazing with the expert legal support, but they were emotionally supportive as well, which is huge when your life feels like it has fallen apart after a serious accident. I'm hoping I don't need her for the same type of legal help in the future, but if I do, she is ...
Posted by Debbie | May 02, 2013 | Personal Injury
The day it took me two months to get home from work.
There is no way that I can ever repay Karen and Anne for everything they have done for me. I was on my way home from work, looking forward to the long 4th of July weekend, when I was rear-ended by a fully loaded dump truck. A good friend of mine from work suggested that I should consult an attorney...
Posted by Lynn | April 17, 2013 | Personal Injury
Karen took my car accident to trial, 12 years ago
Karen is one of the most amazing attorneys I've met! When I met Karen I was in the midst of a long recovery from a horrible car accident. At the time she was part of the firm LePley and Koehler. Whether in the office or in the courtroom, Karen stands out far above other attorneys I've worked with....
Posted by edgar | April 11, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes
best lawyer in washington
karen is by far the most passionate lawyer i ever met, and it was quite interesting how the defense lawyers from the opposite party were intimidated when they found out she was on my side, im familiar with competitive feelings but the way she took over the case and her strategy was 2nd to none i've n...
Karen Kathryn Koehler's Lawyer Endorsements
"Highly regarded and well respected in the legal community. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Karen Koehler. She is well-known in the legal community because of her pleasing personality and her superb legal skills. The first time I met her was in a mediation years ago, and I took note of how she worked; I remember thinking that I should try to emulate her polished, persuasive style (some day). She was overly well-versed on the law, compassionate and caring about her client's matter, yet could turn up the tenacity if it was needed. She is more than worthy of receiving my peer endorsement."
"Karen is an amazing advocate for her clients. She is a true trial lawyer, and tries cases both big and small."
"Karen Koehler sets the standard of what being a trial lawyer means in the courtrooms of today. She is who we turn to in the eleventh hour when preparing for battle."
"Karen is a highly-skilled and very effective attorney. She is compassionate, warm, and an excellent advocate for her clients. Karen is truly a force to be reckoned with and I willingly endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Karen Koehler is an outstanding lawyer, highly regarded by the legal community. I would not hesitate to recommend her in handling significant injury cases."
"I endorse Karen Koehler. Karen is a phenomenon! A proud mother, skilled advocate for the rights of injured people, author, and wonderful person........What can you say? I say, "Excellent"!!"
"Karen is a human being who enjoys making a difference and helping others. She also happens to be one of the top trial lawyers in the country. If you’re looking for a lawyer who cares about your case and has the expertise, experience, reputation and resources to get the job done, then look no further. Karen Koehler is your lawyer. Give her a call! Mitch Jackson | 2013 CLAY Award and 2009 OC Trial Lawyer of the Year"
"Karen Koehler is a heavy hitter who shares her knowledge and skill through national organizations such a the American Association for Justice. I endorse this lawyer."
"Karen is a fantastic attorney. She is a zealous advocate who will fight for her clients and ensure justice is accomplished. She is not afraid to take a client's case to trial, making her a threat to insurance companies and defendants. I highly recommend her!"
"Karen is passionate, smart, and experienced. I endorse this lawyer."
"Karen is a very skilled attorney who is very reputable in the field of personal injury. I highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I could not endorse any lawyer more strongly than I do Karen. She is so incredibly passionate about her clients and seeing that they are treated fairly and just. She is an incredible teacher in advocacy and medicine. There really are just a small handful of lawyers out there nationally that I would put in her league."
"Smart. Creative. Friendly. Experienced. I recommend Karen without reservation and have absolute confidence in her abilities and skills."
"I have known Karen for many years and she is an exceptional attorney. She is a highly experienced trial attorney and passionate about her work. She cares deeply for her clients and I feel very lucky to have worked with her on personal injury cases. She is also a leader in the legal community and sets a great example for other attorneys. I endorse this lawyer."
"Karen's nickname the "velvet hammer" fits perfectly. She is skilled, determined and talented. Those who she represents are fortunate indeed!"
"Karen is an excellent personal injury lawyer. She is adored by her clients and respected by her peers. She has developed a particular area of expertise involving spinal cord injuries. I would not hesitate referring her a spinal cord injury case, or any other personal injury case."
"I endorse this lawyer. Karen is a "lawyer's lawyer." I would readily hire her myself, or for a family member if the need ever arose. She is an exceptionally skilled advocate and a relentless opponent. Her clients are hiring the best out there."
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Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Appeals lawyer
Medical malpractice lawyer
Appeals lawyer
Insurance lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Trucking accident lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Car accident lawyer
Workers compensation lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Brain injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
Top 50 Women Lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2016
Top 100 Super Lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2016
The 100 most influential trial lawyers, The Trial Lawyer Magazine
2015
Top 100 law blogs, ABA Law Journal
2015
Top 50 Women Lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2015
Top 100 Super Lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2015
Top 50 women lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2015
Top 40 personal injury lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2015
Top 100 lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Washington Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 40 personal injury lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 50 Women Lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 10 super lawyers, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 100 law blogs, ABA Law Journal
2013
Top 100 Law blogs, ABA Law Journal
2013
Top 50 Women Lawyers in WA, Super Lawyers
2013
Top 40 personal injury lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2013
Top 100 Washington Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Top 100 Washington Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2012
Top 100 Law Blogs, ABA Law Journal
2012
Top 100 law blawg (top trial practice blog), American Bar Association
2012
Top 50 Women Lawyers in WA, Super Lawyers
2012
Top 40 personal injury lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2012
Best lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Top 40 personal injury lawyers WA, Super Lawyers
2011
Top 100 Washington Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics
2011
Top 50 Women Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics
2011
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics
2011
Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Top 100 Blogs (Ranked #1 for Trial), American Bar Association
2010
Best lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Top 40 Washington personal injury lawyers, Washington Law & Politics
2010
Top 50 Washington lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2010
Top 100 Washington lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2010
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2009
Best Lawyers in America, Martindale Hubbell
2009
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2009
Top 40 personal injury lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2009
Top 100 Washington lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2008
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2008
Top 100 Washington lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2008
Top 40 personal injury lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2008
Best Lawyers in America, Martindale Hubbell
2007
Best Lawyers in America, Martindale Hubbell
2007
Super Lawyer,
2007
Top 40 personal injury lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2007
Top 500 Lawyers in America, Law Dragon Magazine
2007
Top 50 Washington Women Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2007
Top 100 Washington Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2006
Super Lawyer,
2006
Top 50 Washington Women Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2006
The Best Lawyers in America, Martindale Hubbell
2005
Trial Lawyer of the Year, Washington Assoc. for Justice
2005
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2004
Super lawyer, Washington Law & Politics
2003
President's Award, Washington Assoc for Justice
N/A
Rated AV,
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Executive Dir/President, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Washington
2005 - Present
Adjunct Professor Trial Advocacy, University Of Washington School Of Law
2004 - Present
Partner, Stritmatter Kessler Whelan Koehler Moore Kahler
2009 - 2016
Lead instructor, Female Trial Advocacy Program
1998 - 2004
, LePley and Koehler
1995 - 1998
, Karen Koehler Attorney
1993 - 1995
Associate, Kraft Kimbrough & Ganz
1990 - 1993
Associate, Law Offices Thomas J. Chambers
1986 - 1989
Associate, Diamond & Sylvester (Diamond & Foreman, Foreman Kraft & Prince)
Associations
2011 - Present
American Association for JusticeExecutive Committee traumatic brain injury litigation group
2011 - Present
American Association for JusticeCo-chair spinal cord injury litigation group
2011 - Present
American Association for JusticeBoard Member
2010 - Present
Spinal Cord Injury Associaton of WashingtonExecutive Dir/President
2006 - Present
Asian Bar Association of WashingtonMember
2005 - Present
American Board of Trial AdvocatesMember
2005 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
Scribes society of legal writersMember
2001 - Present
Washington State Association for Justice, Insurance/Tort Law SectionBoard Member
1999 - Present
Washington State Trial Lawyers AssociationEagle Member
1985 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2009 - 2011
Washington State Association for Justice2nd Vice President Continuing Education
2007 - 2008
Washington State Trial Lawyers AssociationPresident
2006 - 2008
American Association of Justice Council of PresidentsMember
2006 - 2007
Washington State Trial Lawyers AssociationPresident Elect
2003 - 2004
American Association for JusticeChair Motor Vehicle Highway Design Premise Section
2002 - 2003
Washington State Bar Association Executive Litigation CommitteeVice President
2001 - 2009
American Association of JusticeWashington state delegate minority affairs
Sample of Legal Cases
8 figure settlement
Jury verdict for seven figures
Jury verdict for seven figures
Jury verdict for seven figures
Lawsuit filed and case settled for seven figures
Settled for public expressions of apology and seven figures
Education
1985
JD - Juris Doctor
1982
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
Depositions
2016
Direct exam the "Oprah" way
2016
Building catastrophic injury cases
2015
Making your case with defense experts
2015
using metaphors allegories and similes in closing
2015
Novel claims for justice
2015
Defense Medical Examiners
2015
Common SCI defenses
2015
Voir dire in auto cases
2015
Dos and don'ts of visual presentations
2014
Trial technology
2014
Moderator and presenter
2014
Demonstrative evidence
2014
Big picture little details
2013
Building the vocational damages case
2013
Keynote speaker
2013
Persuasive powerpoint at trial
2013
Using metaphors, allegories, & similes in closing
2013
Point - counterpoint
2013
Big Picture Little Details
2013
Persuasive PPT at trial
2013
Using metaphors, allegories, and similes in closing
2013
Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injuries
2013
Persuasive PPT at Trial
2013
Persuasive PPT at trial
2012
Opening statement
2012
Persuasive PPT at Trial
2012
Persuading jurors with moral arguments
2012
De Ben Esse Deposition of your Treating Physician
2012
Persuading jurors with morality based themes
2012
Trial practice
2012
Proving invisible traumatic brain injuries
2011
Opening statement
2011
Understanding Diverse Cultures Perspective on Emotional Injury and Consortium Claims
2011
Persuasive brain injury trial techniques
2011
Persuasive themes and techniques in brain injury trials
2011
Persuading jurors with moral argument
2011
Morality based closing arguments that persuade in trying times
2011
And then the jury clapped...how to present extremely demonstrative evidence
2011
Polarizing the brain injury case
2011
Traumatic brain injury and preexisting conditions
2011
Demonstration: Overcoming Defense Themes and Tactics in Opening
2011
Valuation and Life Expectancy in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
2011
And then the Jury Clapped How to Present Extremely Demonstrative Evidence.
2010
Opening Statement
2010
Extremely demonstrative evidence
2010
Refocusing the jury in voir dire
2010
Morality based closing arguments
2010
Messaging - turning weaknesses into strengths
2010
Morality based closing argument
2010
Plaintiff closing argument - demonstration in brain injury case
2010
Discovery in UIM insurance bad faith
2010
Ethical dilemmas in traumatic brain injury cases
2009
Closing argument in a car crash case
2009
Objectifying the plaintiff’s case: visual images that make a difference
2009
Keynote speaker: our inspirational clients
2009
How to try a case without a focus group
2009
Closing argument
2009
Maximizing damages in inadequate security cases
2009
Closing argument
2008
E-trial 1.01
2008
Objectifying the Plaintiff's Case
2008
PowerPoint - Objectifying the Plaintiff's Case
2008
Voir Dire
2008
Objectifying the Plaintiff's Case in Trial
2008
Art of Advocacy
2008
Representing Minorities in the Court Room - Voir Dire
2008
Fighting Protective Orders in Insurance Bad Faith Cases
2007
Objectifying plaintiff's case at trial
2007
Powerpoint revolution
2007
Videotape deposition of the insurance adjuster
2007
"Crash"
2007
Maximizing Powerpoint to objectify the plaintiff's case
2007
Plaintiff Direct Exam
2007
Witness preparation - lay and expert witnesses
2007
Overcoming insurance defense tactics
2006
Battling the "Tencer" defense
2006
New Important Laws - Ethel Adams
2006
Electronic medial and visual aids at oral argument
2006
The elements of litigation - chair
2006
Voir Dire
2006
Calculating and proving damages
2006
How the case of Ethel Adams changed the law
2006
Litigating major auto injury and death cases
2006
Handling the minority plaintiff case
2006
Battling the comparative fault defense
2006
Voir Dire
2005
Persuading a hostile jury
2005
Creative pretiral strategic moves
2005
Summation
2005
Maters in Trial Program
2005
expert biomechanic
2005
Perpetuating the treating doctor by videotape
2005
Preparing your client for deposition
2004
Strategies for seeking damages in wrongful death and survival cases
2004
Opening Statement
2004
Mock trial with technology
2004
Depositions & testimony - surviving on the stand
2004
Opening statement in an MTV generation
2004
Convincing the jury of probable needs
2004
Trial techniques
2004
Colossus computer software
2004
Cross exam of an expert - with David Ball
2004
Litigating auto cases - juries, damages and discovery
2003
Voire dire and cross exam of the defense medical examiner
2003
Litigating with Farmers insurance
2003
Arguing Liability
2003
Opening Statement
2003
Colossus insurance computer software
2003
Colossus insurance computer software
2003
Colossus and how to litigate motor vehicle cases
2003
Powerpoint in opening and closing
2003
Colossus insurance computer software
2003
Case of Kristopher Kime
2003
Colossus insurance computer software
2003
Alternative theories in insurance bad faith cases
N/A
Preparing for Depositions
Publications
2012
2011
2010
2009
2007
2006
2004
2004
2003
2003
2002
2001
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Plywood fell of a truck and hit my windshield and hood i followed him off the freeway and got his info what am i entitled too
12 Jul 2013
When is court approval required to settle an injury claim involving a minor (under 18) in Washington State?
31 May 2013
I fell on a metal plate that got wet from rain. Can i sue for injuries sustained.
27 May 2013