Our Team

While Poder Legal's first priority is your physical and emotional recovery after an accident, we also understand that this is only part of your loss. We know that accidents can also affect you and your family's income, employment and quality of life. That's why we work hard to get you the money you need to get back to your normal life. Whether by settlement or by trial victory we fight to ensure our clients get full and fair compensation, and have a 99% success rate in doing so.

Benjamin D. Swanson

Trial Lawyer

Insurance companies have made large sums of money bullying individuals who have been injured in accidents. Refusing to pay just compensation; delay, delay, delay; sending surveillance agents to spy on an injured person and his or her family; and using scare tactics to make the victim feel like a liar and a malingerer.

I detest bullies. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than taking down an insurance company that tries to take advantage of an injured person. Nothing. Since 2010, I have recovered over 75 million dollars for those injured in catastrophic motor vehicle and other accidents.

Education:
University of Iowa College of Law
J.D. Conferred With Distinction

University of Iowa
B.A.; President's List

Licensure:
California

Bret Geckeler

LawyerOf Counsel

Bret did what it took to make it to an ivory-tower law firm with a global presence. Any lawyer would agree that this is no easy task. Most people would be satisfied by this achievement. But Bret is not like most people. He saw a higher mountain to climb and devotes his life to defending the rights of those hurt by others.

Education:
UCLA

Yesenia Lopez

Office Manager

Yesenia Lopez was born and raised in the San Jose area. She is very involved in the community. From her volunteering at her church and local schools to participating in food and clothing drives. Her passion in helping the Latino community has made Yesenia an invaluable part of the firm. Yesenia has been working in the personal injury field for over 11 years. Yesenia is extremely knowledgeable and is heavily involved in assisting with all aspects of each case from collecting initial client intake information to litigation. Her compassion and drive makes her a force to be reckoned with.

Ashlee Sierra

Supervising Litigation Paralegal

Ashlee Sierra serves as Poder Legal's head litigation paralegal. Ashlee has worked closely with Ben for several years. She has handled every aspect of litigation from lawsuit thru appeal.

Dana Swanson

Paralegal

Dana serves as a litigation paralegal at Poder Legal. She has decades of paralegal experience and is a fantastic writer.

Ampelio Lopez

Legal Assistant

Ampelio has been working along side his wife Yesenia for over a decade helping those injured in accidents. He is a wise man who has learned the importance of understanding rather than being understood. Ampelio is an invaluable part of the Firm's pre-litigation department.

David Lopez

Legal Assistant

David is the newest member of the team. He exudes integrity and has an impeccable work ethic.