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Some people have already mapped out their careers before they’ve even finished college. hadn’t. After earning a sociology degree from Humboldt State, he spent a year thinking through what he wanted to do next. There was no pressure to immediately define his future, and that pause gave him time and space to realize that he wanted to pursue a career in law.

Ruzumna grew up in West L.A., moving frequently. He wasn’t drawn to law because of image or ambition, but because he saw that working in the legal system would give him the chance to pursue justice for others.

What stood out to him most was the idea that the law could serve as a great equalizer, where the most powerful and the least powerful are supposed to stand on the same ground. That belief, that everyone deserves to be treated fairly regardless of their background or circumstances, became the driving force of his career.

Finding His Footing in Life and Law

Once Ruzumna committed to the idea of becoming a lawyer, the rest seemed to naturally fall into place. He was accepted into law school, and during that time, he met the person who would eventually become his wife. After graduating in 1997 and just before the bar exam, he proposed. When the results came back and he learned he had passed, they got married. He spent the following year working at a small law firm, gaining experience and figuring out what he wanted the rest of his legal career to look like.

After about a year at the firm, he found himself drawn to the idea of running his own practice. In 2000, he opened the , in Seattle, where he still practices today. His work focuses on real estate, contracts, and general civil litigation. His typical clients are individuals and small business owners.

Lessons From the First Case

Right out of law school, the first case Ruzumna handled involved a client who owned a Thai restaurant on Bainbridge Island. The owners had recently immigrated to the U.S. and were dealing with a landlord who was taking advantage of them. Ruzumna filed a lawsuit and requested a ruling in their favor from the court.

Although he wasn’t expecting to win, the judge ended up granting the motion. As a new attorney, he neglected even to bring a proposed order for the judge to sign following the hearing. Ruzumna had charged the client a flat fee of $1,000 for taking on the case, which even in 1997 didn’t reflect all of the work he’d put in. Still, the victory meant more than the money to him, reminding him of why he chose law in the first place. The ability to make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life continues to animate his career.

Representing People Against the System

Over the years, Dave Ruzumna has handled a wide range of civil matters for clients facing various legal concerns. One case that stands out involved a childcare provider whose license was revoked by the state following allegations of abuse. The state ruled against her in an administrative hearing, despite what Ruzumna believed were unfounded claims. He challenged the decision in the superior court, where the ruling was overturned and attorneys� fees were awarded.

In another case, he represented a food vendor in Seattle who had been targeted by the city’s street use permit agency. Ruzumna brought the matter to court and obtained a restraining order that required the agency to adhere to its own rules before pursuing further enforcement.

While these cases may not have received widespread attention, each is a reflection of the kind of work Ruzumna enjoys focusing on. Providing legal support for people facing complex or confusing situations and fighting against the systems that aren’t working in their favor gives his job real meaning. To him, that’s what success looks like.

Bringing the Same Standards to the Bench

In 2012, decided to run for a seat on the Superior Court. Although he did not advance past the primary, the experience marked the beginning of a new chapter in his legal career. Shortly after the election, he began serving in judicial assignments in King County District Court as a pro tem judge.

What started as a part-time role gradually expanded over the years. He was asked to serve in additional courts and counties beyond King County, stepping in where needed and continuing to apply his legal knowledge in a new capacity. By April of 2025, it had grown into a near full-time responsibility, becoming a regular part of his professional life alongside his private practice.

Giving Time Where It’s Needed Most

Outside of his practice, Ruzumna takes part in volunteer legal work and community service. He has supported several nonprofit organizations, including Seattle Public Theater, Macha Theatre Works, Ferry Dog Mothers, and Ballard Performing Arts. He has also assisted nonprofit groups with their legal needs, including helping them apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

In addition, he volunteers regularly at neighborhood legal clinics, typically giving up one or two nights per month to offer guidance to people who cannot afford to hire an attorney. He helps them understand their situation and determine the best next steps.

Showing up for Clients Like It’s Personal

What fills with pride isn’t the job itself, but how he shows up for it. For him, that means working hard, being honest, and conducting himself in a way that would leave a favorable impression. These values have been shaped by experience, and over the years, they’ve only become more important to him.

Success cannot be measured by titles, awards, or professional recognition. Instead, he sees it in simpler terms. If the work feels meaningful and he’s able to provide for the people who matter most to him, then that’s enough. Of everything Ruzumna has accomplished so far, the part of his life he’s most proud of isn’t tied to law. It’s the happy marriage he’s maintained with his wife, and the two children they’ve raised together to create an equally delighted family.

Stress is a given in any long-term career, but he’s found that exercise, like walking, helps him clear his mind. His father-in-law remains a constant influence in his life. Ruzumna describes him as a calm, reasonable, and successful man who knows how to motivate others and is respected by the people in his life.

If he could go back and offer his younger self any advice, it would be to slow down and listen more. To him, there is value in and in taking the time to understand what someone else is trying to convey. He likes to remind himself that he was given two ears, two eyes, and only one mouth, and that they should be used in proportion.

Over the course of his career, Ruzumna has made it a priority to show up fully for the people who come to him for help. He takes their trust seriously, along with the responsibility that comes with it. Having a career he genuinely cares about is what keeps him going and what continues to make his work worth doing.