Through resilience, curiosity and integrity, Nash Ramsumer has built a legal career dedicated to empowering clients and creating opportunities for others
Nash Ramsumer’s journey to becoming a director at Knowles Husain Lindsay Inc was neither conventional nor easy. Today an attorney, conveyancer and notary specialising in property law, Ramsumer’s working life began just days after writing her final matric exam, taking an 11-hour-a-day call-centre position to finance her part-time studies.
She later joined a property law firm as a receptionist, actively seeking opportunities to assist its paralegals and learn about their work. Promotion to legal bookkeeper followed, before Ramsumer began serving her articles at the firm.
“My interest in property law started at the first firm I worked for because, even as the receptionist, I actively sought out opportunities to assist the paralegals and get involved in matters.”
When her principal retired, Ramsumer entered an in-house legal environment while completing her qualification. She subsequently established a debt-counselling company, serving as its legal director and creating its legal department. Although entrepreneurship strengthened her business and legal knowledge, property law remained her passion. After passing the conveyancing and notarial examinations she moved to Johannesburg, ultimately progressing from associate to director at Knowles Husain Lindsay.
Becoming the first lawyer in her family makes the achievement especially meaningful. Ramsumer grew up without professional networks or substantial resources, travelling by taxi and walking through Durban’s CBD to sit for her exams.
“It wasn’t an easy journey but I really believe it shapes you by strengthening your character so that you can adapt and survive in any situation.”
Those early positions also taught her how to communicate, ask meaningful questions and understand what people genuinely need – qualities that remain central to her client relationships. She believes transparency and regular updates establish trust, while technology allows expertise to speak before assumptions based upon age, gender or appearance take hold.
As a woman and an Indian professional, Ramsumer has often needed to work harder to establish her credibility. She has encountered clients who received identical advice more favourably from male colleagues and others who commented on her appearance. Rather than permitting prejudice to diminish her standards, she concentrates on delivering equal care and exceptional service.
“I try to prove myself quite early in the transaction when dealing with clients. People just want to know what’s going on. They want transparency. They want updates. They don’t want to be left in the dark,” says Ramsumer.
Her leadership philosophy is equally people-centred and she seeks to leave others better off than she found them, sharing knowledge instead of merely delegating. She embraces opportunities to mentor aspiring lawyers and help colleagues gain exposure to the profession’s many possible pathways.
Technology, she believes, is improving legal research and helping practitioners meet growing expectations for faster, clearer and more cost-effective services. Although conveyancing remains largely paper-based, online property records and due-diligence resources are making transactions more understandable and accessible.
For young women entering law, Ramsumer recommends preparation, humility, continual learning and balance. Her own desired legacy unites professional excellence with human impact.
“I want my work to continue to contribute to the legal profession and make it more ethical, more inclusive, and accessible, while using my leadership to create opportunities for others to grow and succeed.”
For Ramsumer, success will ultimately be measured not by title alone, but by meaningful problems solved, people empowered and the integrity with which she has practised law.