About US

Rahman Popal, Founder & Owner

popal@firmfortenants.com

Our founder, Rahman Popal, believes access to adequate housing is a human right. He is a zealous advocate who has dedicated his legal career to representing the underserved, marginalized, and less powerful.

Rahman’s dedication and skill in the legal field have been recognized time and again. He was honored as a Northern California Rising Star Attorney by Super Lawyers in the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. This accolade isn’t just handed out lightly; it’s reserved for those who excel in their practice. To put it into perspective, only 2.5% of Northern California attorneys receive this prestigious recognition. Rahman’s consistent acknowledgment speaks volumes about his commitment to excellence and his standing among his peers in the legal community.

Rahman is deeply committed to ensuring fair treatment for tenants across California who find themselves grappling with unjust housing practices. His expertise covers a wide range of issues, from wrongful evictions and inhabitable living conditions plagued by water leaks and mold to landlord harassment, illegal lockouts, retaliatory actions, and discriminatory practices in housing. Rahman’s advocacy extends to addressing live/work unit concerns and combating illegal rent hikes, among other pertinent topics.
Having provided guidance and representation to numerous tenants navigating intricate legal hurdles, Rahman’s experience is extensive and impactful. Prior to establishing The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc. he honed his skills over five years as an associate attorney at a distinguished tenant rights firm in San Francisco.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Rahman remains actively involved as a devoted volunteer with local tenant unions throughout the Bay Area. His unwavering dedication underscores his passion for safeguarding tenants’ rights and fostering equitable living conditions for all.

Since 2015, he has also served as an adjunct professor with the University of San Francisco’s Moot Court Program.

Publications

“Trebling personal-injury damages in a premises liability case,” Plaintiff’s Magazine. A link to the article is accessible here.

“Establishing bad-faith landlord harassment,” Plaintiff’s Magazine. A link to the article is accessible here.

Alex Binsfeld (Associate Attorney)

Alex Binsfeld (they/them) is an Associate Attorney at the firm. They graduated from the University of California Law, San Francisco, in 2019 and the University of San Francisco in 2011, majoring in Philosophy and History, focusing on the Islamic world and African History. Before their work here, they served as the Legal Director at the Transgender, Gender-Variant, and Intersex Justice Project, where they supervised and ran legal, policy, and re-entry programs serving TGI people across fifty states and Puerto Rico, providing legal information, advocacy, and direct legal support and representation to clients, especially Black TGI people in and leaving locked facilities. They are also cofounder and board member at Beyond Binary Legal, a legal organization by and for people living beyond the gender binary. Alex likes to read science fiction, DIY, and attend live music events in their free time.

Lucia Miri Echavarria (Senior Paralegal)

Lucía Miri Echavarria (she/her), a Senior Paralegal at the firm since October 2023, has specialized in landlord-tenant law since 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Universidad de San Andrés in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With a background in international and non-governmental organizations advocating for social justice, Lucía is strongly committed to making a positive impact. Before her focus on landlord-tenant law, she worked in various roles, including assisting the International Cooperation for Development team at the Argentinian Council of Foreign Relations, managing projects for Red por la Infancia, an NGO combatting child abuse, and coordinating volunteers at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Lucía is also a vocal mental health advocate for ADHD awareness, using her own experiences and research to psychoeducate and support others. She is also an ADHD-aware coach. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys singing, creating music, hiking, and spending time training her service dogs. Lucia is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Rachel Neff (Associate Attorney)

Rachel Neff (she/her) is a recent Juris Doctor recipient from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in New York and joined the firm in August 2023. Upon earning her degree, Rachel received an advanced certificate in health law and policy. Rachel participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition and advanced to the Northeast Quarterfinals in 2023. She became involved in the fair housing community in Connecticut, where she found her passion for advocating for housing rights. In her free time, Rachel enjoys running and competes in races in the Bay Area and is also an avid baker.

Samantha Quinn (Legal Administrative Assistant)

Samantha Quinn (she/her) is a Legal Administrative Assistant who has been with the firm since October 2022. She is currently completing her paralegal certificate. Samantha received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and has multiple years of social work experience, including in the housing context, where she worked to develop and implement innovative Mental Health and Homeless programming in Contra Costa County. Her passions are the great outdoors and exploring National Parks. She is highly inspired by the Bay Area’s art and culture, greatly appreciates her community, and loves sharing with others.

Melissa Gutheim (Paralegal)

Melissa Gutheim (she/her), has been a Paralegal with the firm since May 2024, bringing a specialization in landlord-tenant law that dates back to 2020. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, where she developed a strong interest in software structures, taking advanced electives in software systems, architecture, and modeling. Prior to focusing on landlord-tenant law, Melissa gained experience in various roles, including as an account manager in technology sales. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, immersing herself in new cultures and languages, playing video games, and listening to music. She is fully trilingual, fluent in Dutch, English, and Spanish.

Rachelle Martinez (Receptionist)

Rachelle Martinez (She/Her) has been a receptionist at the firm since July 2024. Rachelle, originally from San Mateo, received her education at Hillsdale High School. Before her work at the firm, she worked in various roles, including customer service and working with the community. She found her passion in helping others and advocating for tenants’ rights. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with family outdoors and going to science museums.

Justine Magowan (Post-Bar Law Clerk )

Justine Magowan (she/her) came to the firm after completing her J.D. at the UC Law, San Francisco in May 2024. As a law student, she served as Executive Articles Editor for the UC Law Journal and competed with the Negotiation & Dispute Resolution Team. Her interest in landlord-tenant disputes began when she participated in the Mediation Clinic where she mediated such disputes for San Mateo’s Small Claims Court. Prior to law school, she worked in publicity at Penguin Random House in New York. Her hobbies include gluten-free baking, cozy gaming, and attempting to find space for her always-expanding home library. helping others and advocating for tenants’ rights. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with family outdoors and going to science museums.

Contact Us To See How We Can Help

Rahman was selected as a Northern California Rising Star Attorney by Super Lawyers in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, an honor reserved for lawyers who demonstrate excellence in practice. This distinction is bestowed to only 2.5% of Northern California attorneys.