Why Bigger Isn't Always Better feat. Ruma Mazumdar

2 days ago
3 min read

Ruma Mazumdar is a New Jersey real estate and estate planning attorney who built a successful virtual law firm after leaving Big Law. In this episode, she shares how working as a paralegal shaped her legal career, why she chose entrepreneurship despite growing up around family business, and how redefining success led her to build a practice that supports the life she actually wants.

About This Episode

Background

Before becoming an attorney, Ruma Mazumdar spent two years working as a paralegal at a top law firm in Washington, D.C. That experience gave her an inside look at Big Law and helped her make an informed decision about attending law school. Instead of jumping directly from undergraduate studies into legal education, she intentionally used that time to determine whether the investment was right for her.

"The time that I took off in between was just invaluable because it helped me really hone in on seeing what the legal world is about," shares Ruma Mazumdar on You Are A Lawyer.

After earning her Juris Doctor from Cardozo School of Law, Ruma spent four years practicing at national law firms before launching her own practice. Today, she owns a virtual law firm focused on residential real estate transactions and estate planning in New Jersey, leading a small team that reflects the intentional lifestyle she's worked hard to create.

Why Law School

Working as a paralegal confirmed for Ruma that law school was the right next step, but it also taught her what kind of lawyer she wanted to become. Watching attorneys firsthand helped her recognize the environments where she would thrive and the ones she wanted to avoid.

"I knew what I liked and what I didn't like," explains Ruma Mazumdar on Episode 255 of You Are a Lawyer.

Rather than chasing prestige alone, Ruma intentionally pursued opportunities that offered mentorship, meaningful work, and practical experience. Her legal education built upon the operational skills she had already developed as a paralegal, giving her both the analytical thinking and organizational systems that would later become invaluable when she launched her own law firm.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

Although Ruma practices law today, she believes a law degree opens far more doors than most people realize. Throughout her career, she's met attorneys who have successfully transitioned into coaching, business consulting, entrepreneurship, insurance, and countless other industries.

"The world is your oyster, honestly. I think you can do anything you want with a law degree," shares Ruma Mazumdar on Episode 255 of You Are a Lawyer.

For Ruma, the value of a legal education isn't limited to practicing law. Law school teaches critical thinking, problem solving, risk analysis, and decision making, all skills that transfer naturally into leadership, business ownership, and many careers outside traditional legal practice.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Launching her own law firm wasn't originally part of Ruma's plan. Growing up with entrepreneur parents, she witnessed the sacrifices that came with running a business and initially wanted the stability of traditional employment. But after several years in private practice and the shift toward remote work during the pandemic, she realized she wanted to build something on her own terms.

"I wanted to just have that sort of life,” Ruma Mazumdar expresses in Episode 255 of You Are a Lawyer.

Today, Ruma operates a fully virtual law firm while living outside the state where she practices. She has also embraced human design as a framework for understanding how she works best, allowing her to build a business that prioritizes sustainability over constant growth. Her journey demonstrates that entrepreneurship isn't simply about owning a business. It's about intentionally creating a career that aligns with your values and lifestyle.