Episode 26: Mastering the Art of Direct Examination

What separates a good trial lawyer from a great one? Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi unpack what makes a direct examination persuasive, from reading the jury’s body language to deciding when to provoke or disarm a hostile witness. They share real trial stories, including moments where everything went off-script and the only way to save the case was by adapting on the fly.

Forget rigid outlines and rehearsed testimony. Karen explains why she now preps plaintiffs like an Oprah interview instead of a legal exam, and why keeping their testimony short often works better. Mo brings in his acting background to show how body language and proximity can build trust. They also dive into the gender dynamics of trial, and why female attorneys face a different standard when navigating authority and emotion in the courtroom.

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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.

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