Upon receiving a complaint from a big law defense lawyer (on law firm stationery) accusing me of being unprofessional in my blog writing, here is the response (edited somewhat to respect the privacy of the complainant). Dear M: I’ve written a blog for the past 15 years.  From the beginning I’ve written many things about defense lawyers who are on cases against me.  And usually though not always it is probably not welcome by them.  I describe their actions, their strategies, judge their presentations.  Once a lawyer was so angry at me that she started acting out during ..read more

Since covid entered the world, have dramatically curtailed speaking travel. But times are changing. And when the request comes in from the Colorado trial lawyers women’s caucus. I say yes. Even though Anne says: are you suuuuuurrrrreeeee. And wags her eyebrows at me. We had just turned down Wyoming because there was no direct flight and it would have been an 8 hour trip. But this one is a simple flight to Denver which is not far away. Then an hour and a half drive to the resort. Piece of cake I enthuse. Anne gives me a knowing look. Today arrives. 6:00 wake up because it gets light really ear ..read more

Monday May 8, 2023 Hi Karen, It’s been a while since my case settled in 2010, but you would remember me as ‘Colleen McCallum v. Allstate Insurance’ for a Bad Faith Claim with co-counsel Michael Fisher from Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler. That MVA was in 2004, and the lawsuits took over 6 years - it was a huge relief once it was finally settled. I have been living in Florida since 2012. I had moved here hoping it would be a fresh start and that I wouldn’t ever have to be part of another lawsuit…but that didn’t last long. I was involved in a bad MVA in 2021 where another driver ran 2 stop s ..read more

Have you ever wondered how much a city will spend in legal fees - to defeat a lawsuit. Let’s say for example, one brought by peaceful BLM protesters who claim their First Amendment rights were violated when the city’s police pepper sprayed, tear gassed, flash banged, blast balled and body slammed them. Or have you perhaps in such cases - blamed the attorneys for the protesters for costing the city so much money because of the fees they are charging. Well, us plaintiff attorneys - who don’t get paid unless and until our client wins… we wonder. And wonder. And never find out how much the defens ..read more

It is the second night of our attorney retreat. We are at the Stritmatters’ house in Maui. Listening to guitars. Watching the chefs pull culinary delights from the pizza oven. The sun has set. And we are a smiling, talking and celebrating Paul’s 80th birthday. We are also wondering - where are Fred and Furhad. Quite late they are. When they blow in. All smiles and laughter. And we are wondering what is going on with this fashion statement. As they proudly show us their neck “tattoos.” Which are henna and will last a week tops. Fred’s is a hammer head shark. I don’t tell him it has already smu ..read more

Forgive me for laughing hysterically at the concept of the City of Seattle owning up to its brutalization of peaceful protesters. As was just recommended by the 4th Sentinel Review - the City supported investigation and look back at the SPD’s response to the George Floyd protest season. Two and a half years ago, my office sued the City/SPD for pummeling 50 peaceful protester clients with blast balls, flash bangs, tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets. Since then the City has done the opposite of apologizing. Instead, it has gone after those protesters. Several of whom were veterans with ..read more

15 years ago Paul Stritmatter told me I needed to hire a paralegal named Anne Roberson. I was in trial. And declined. He persisted and said I needed to meet her. Eventually. Reluctantly. I did. That day changed me fundamentally because Anne became a member of the firm and part of my life. Anne grew up in small town Indiana. After high school her aunt pushed her to apply for a legal secretary position (paralegals didn’t exist back then). Although Anne didn’t know how to type she got the job. The rest is history. Though Anner can write legal documents in her sleep. Her hallmarks are her social ..read more

For sentimental reasons have been hanging on to the last few pairs. Actually wear a few of them in trials this year. But as 2022 comes to an end. So does my desire (mostly) to ever wear high heels again. It started in earnest in the disco years. Attended the U of W refusing to wear the uniform of jeans and flats. Can remember walking across red square (which is brick) on my toes - even in the rain. The cobbled streets of Europe. The discos - hours and hours of dancing. All no problem. Loved the look. Didn’t mind the squeeze. Or the blisters. And because they were a minimum of 3-4” always walk ..read more

Trial day 14.  Lululemon dress day 3 of 5 returns to court.  JHB has been outfitted with the big podium and a comfortable stool.  The podium is directly between our parallel tables.  He would be on top of our clients.  I sit below him instead.  They move back.  Out of the way. JHB has had all night to prepare.  And we all settle in.  Judge Kn addresses us.  Are we ready.  And we both say yes.  He begins slowly.  Reading the intro jury instruction.  Says he’s sorry for making the mistake of saying that our expert was not on ..read more

Trial day 13. Not only do we not finish.  But am crying again.  On the phone with Alysha and Noelle.  Making journey back from Ephrata to the hotel in George. Rewind. Wake up.  Well rested.  Sun shining in through the crack in the shades.    Get ready.  Wear dress for the second time this week.  But it is lululemon and washable.  A miracle dress.  Pack everything up.  Haul suitcase out the door into the car.  Sure this is the final goodbye.    The Microtel at George has been good to me.  My every need wa ..read more