Founder & Director, Tenant Enforcement for Residential Rights and Accountability (TERRA)
Jeffrey Goldman is a mission-driven leader, a legal tactician, and above all—a loving father to two extraordinary daughters, Taylor and Abby. His personal role as a father grounds everything he does. It is through his relationship with them that he draws strength and clarity of purpose: to help build a world where families are protected, dignity is preserved, and justice isn’t reserved for the wealthy or well-connected.
A 2003 graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law, Goldman built his early career in high-stakes litigation before dedicating his talents to something far more personal: ensuring every renter, no matter their income or background, has access to a safe, habitable home and a system that enforces their rights—not just promises them on paper.
Jeff’s legal career began with impact. At Milbank Tweed, he volunteered with the ACLU’s HIV/AIDS Project, fighting to protect tenants facing unlawful eviction and discrimination—including an HIV-positive mother targeted for removal simply because of her medical status. That moment marked a turning point. His zero-tolerance stance toward injustice would become the throughline of his life’s work.
Today, as the founder and director of Tenant Enforcement for Residential Rights and Accountability (TERRA), Jeff channels his legal acumen and moral conviction into confronting the landlords, HOAs, and property managers who bank on tenants being too afraid or too underrepresented to fight back. Where others see bureaucracy, Goldman sees battlegrounds—and he’s not afraid to use every lawful weapon in his arsenal to defend what’s right.
He is described by those who know him as deeply compassionate, unshakably principled, and fiercely intelligent. His colleagues and clients often remark on his ability to blend fierce advocacy with empathy, and to make people feel protected—even in their most vulnerable moments. Whether he’s litigating, mentoring emerging advocates, or speaking in public forums, Jeff leads with a rare combination of strategic brilliance and heartfelt purpose.
Goldman founded TERRA as more than an organization—it’s a movement for enforcement, a shield for renters, and a megaphone for the silenced. Operating across San Francisco and Las Vegas, TERRA has become a vital force in the national conversation on tenant rights, aligning with the White House's mission to enhance enforcement, education, and fairness in housing.
In an era where over 44 million Americans rent their homes and face systemic gaps in protection, Goldman’s work is not just legal—it’s humanitarian. His daughters are at the center of his world, and their presence fuels his relentless pursuit of equity. His background fuels his authority. And his moral compass ensures he never wavers, even when powerful interests push back.
Jeffrey Goldman isn’t just standing up for what’s right—he’s building a system where the law finally does too.
