Ruzana Kholdarova
Legal Associate
Ruzana Kholdarova’s path to becoming an attorney has been shaped by a deep-seated commitment to serving others and advocating for those in need. From a young age, she was driven by a passion to make a difference, which inspired her academic journey and professional career. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from CUNY, City College of New York, in 2013, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in psychology and history. Her academic pursuits were fueled by a desire to understand human behavior and the societal structures that shape people’s lives.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Ruzana’s dedication to helping others led her to work as a mental health assistant at a counseling center, where she provided support to individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges. During this time, she also began pursuing a career in Speech-Language Pathology, motivated by a desire to empower those with communication disorders. In 2017, she earned her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia University, one of the top programs in the nation.
Ruzana went on to work as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in both school-based settings and early intervention, serving children from birth to 12 years old who presented with speech, language, and feeding delays. Her work allowed her to witness firsthand the profound connection between a child’s access to early intervention services and their overall language development and academic success. This experience deeply resonated with her, reinforcing her belief in the importance of education reform, particularly for underserved and linguistically diverse communities. She saw how systemic inequalities could limit a child’s potential, and this realization planted the seeds for her next professional leap.
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When the global pandemic struck, Ruzana took the opportunity to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. After relocating to Houston, she applied to Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where she excelled both academically and in practical applications of the law. During her time there, she was recognized with the CALI Award for Excellence in Appellate Litigation, a testament to her exceptional legal writing and advocacy skills. She was also honored with the publication of her article in the school’s law review journal. Titled “Education Laws and the Overidentification of English Language Learners and Linguistically Diverse Students as Having Language Disorders”. It explored critical issues in education law and proposed reforms to federal and state laws to address the disproportionate placement of minority and linguistically diverse students in special education.
Now, as an attorney, Ruzana is poised to continue her mission of advocacy and service. Her legal career is driven by the same dedication that has characterized her entire professional life: a passion for ensuring that all individuals, especially those from underrepresented communities, have access to the resources and representation they deserve. Whether in education reform or in serving her clients, Ruzana is committed to making a lasting, positive impact through her work as an attorney.
