A door plug blows out mid-flight, passengers think they’re going to die, and suddenly the legal system asks them to relive it all again, for hours, on the record. We get into what plaintiff depositions look like when the defendant is a giant like Boeing, and why “just tell your story” can turn into seven hours of scripted preamble, invasive questions, and page after page of transcripts that nobody will ever use at trial.

We also talk candidly about the economics behind civil discovery. When defense counsel is billing at institutional rates, staffing multiple lawyers per deposition, and building a budget meant to satisfy a corporate general counsel and an insurance carrier, the incentives can reward length over clarity. We break down why defendants still chase medical records, work history, and private communications in emotional distress claims, and how deposition tactics can quietly push plaintiffs toward “make this end” settlements.

Along the way, we touch on the rules of the road for speaking publicly about ongoing litigation, including protective orders, ethics, and the fair trial balance, plus why we still choose to sit through depositions ourselves. If you’ve ever wondered whether litigation is really an even playing field before you hit the courtroom, this conversation puts the power dynamics in plain English.

Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves legal strategy, and leave a review if it helped you see depositions differently. Do you think courts should impose tighter time limits on depositions?

Stay Connected with The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast

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

Featuring Mike Todd, producer, audio engineer, and the Disembodied Voice of Wisdom & Reason.

Produced by Mike Todd and Kassie Slugić.

New episodes every Wednesday.

The Velvet Hammer™ Podcast is where trial law meets real life. Trial stories, hard lessons, unexpected laughs, and honest conversations about life inside and outside the courtroom.

Podcast Hub:
https://thevelvethammer.buzzsprout.com

Karen Koehler
https://karenkoehler.com
https://www.instagram.com/k3thevelvethammer/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-koehler-thevelvethammer/

Mo Hamoudi
https://www.instagram.com/mo.hamoudi/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mo-hamoudi-77a38733/

Stritmatter Law
https://www.stritmatter.com