Ponder, Jason M.

I decided to become a lawyer after many years in education in Los Angeles. I was everything from a substitute teacher with a Kindergarten class to teaching English and P.E. for students just out of juvenile hall or on probation. After my time teaching, I knew that I wanted to continue to help others but in a different way. I attended school to become a lawyer at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. I enjoyed law school incredibly and also excelled at it. Being a lawyer continues that good feeling for me. I get to do something I am passionate about and work hard while also knowing I am helping others in the process.

WHY FAMILY LAW?

After my time as a teacher, I knew that helping people mattered to me anyone who goes through a divorce or a custody battle knows that they need the help a lawyer can give. Rather than working for a faceless corporation, I like being there for people who truly need someone to turn to. My clients mean a lot to me, and I want to help the people I work for, just like when I was a teacher. I saw friends divorced who tried to do it without a lawyer, and saw the mistakes they made regarding the law and regarding the choices they made without an empathetic but reasonable lawyer. Whether a divorce is friendly or as ugly as they can get, whether there are kids or not, whether there is a house and a car or just an apartment and a bed, family issues need lawyers. That's why I practice family law.

WHY EMPLOYMENT LAW?

Prior to becoming a lawyer, I had my fair share of jobs, good and bad, to pay the bills.  I saw the red tape and helplessness as a teacher, and I saw the lack of power I had working minimum wage plus tips at a coffee chain.  When I was a teacher at one particularly difficult school, my contract was not renewed.  I was angry and hurt, and fairly certain I had been thrown under the bus by higher ups. However, I did not know where to turn or what to do.  I had no choice but to live with that hurt feeling.  When I entered the practice of law, I wanted to help others in times when I myself had no help.

I earned my J.D. Degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. While at Willamette, I was a member of Law Review and Moot Court as well as President of the Jewish Law Society.

In my free time (such as it is), I like following sports and reading the original James Bond novels. I also believe that as a lawyer I should play golf and have a knowledge of fine wines, but those will have to wait for another day.

Since becoming an attorney, I have been an active member of the local bar. I firmly believe that being involved keeps lawyers fresh and keeps them abreast of new ideas and innovations.