Jonah H Goldman

Jonah H Goldman is the sixth recipient of the George N. Lindsay Fellowship. Jonah works with the voting rights project to ensure that minority voters are guaranteed their constitutional rights to equal representation. Specifically, Jonah is involved with the Lawyers’ Committee’s efforts to promote the viability of the Voting Rights Act by challenging voting districts that dilute the strength of minority voters. Jonah is also involved with constitutional and statutory challenges to felon disenfranchisement laws.

Jonah grew up in Rochester, New York and attended Binghamton University: State University of New York where he was awarded both college wide honors and departmental honors in history for his research on the historical developments of the Mozambican revolution. During his time at Binghamton, Jonah concentrated his studies on the postcolonial experience in southern Africa culminating in a semester of travel, study and living in Harare, Zimbabwe.

After graduating from college, Jonah worked for two years as the Public Policy Fellow for the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) in Washington, D.C. In this capacity Jonah served as a social justice advocate on behalf of the agency by lobbying Congress on a variety of issues including hunger relief, the extension of federal hate crimes legislation, opposing the expansion of Charitable Choice, as well as other domestic issues. Jonah also aided in the development of policy strategies and the coordination of the JCPA’s national conference.

Jonah Graduated cum laude from Boston College Law School in May 2003. As a first year, Jonah collaborated with another student to form the Boston College Law School Issues Forum. Originally designed to bring together professors and students to address the unique legal educational opportunity presented by the 2000 election, the group continued throughout the year to bring together students, faculty and members of the greater legal community to discuss compelling legal issues ranging from the death penalty to the debate over reparations.

During the summer after his first year, Jonah researched the role of social science evidence in civil rights cases as an assistant to Professor Mark S. Brodin.

During his second year at law school, Jonah was an oral advocacy semi finalist and a finalist in the brief writing portion of the Grimes Moot Court Competition. His performance during that competition earned him a spot on the Boston College Law School National Moot Court Team.

Also during his second year, Jonah was a student attorney at the Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau (BCLAB) through the Homelessness litigation clinical program offered by the law school. In this position, Jonah had the opportunity to conduct a two-day trial in District Court where he was successful in winning over $20,000 in counter claims for his client. Jonah was responsible for all facets of the case – from the initial interview through a series of post judgment hearings. In addition to the award for his client, Jonah secured an unprecedented $10,000 in attorneys’ fees for BCLAB.

Jonah’s work with BCLAB did not end there. During his third year he was invited to work part time as a student attorney. His responsibilities included handling hearings in front of the Social Security Administration for clients seeking disability benefits. His tenure with BCLAB earned him the John F. Cremens Award for Outstanding Work in Clinical Programs.

Jonah is also an avid musician. He plays drums, guitar and bass and has played in bands that have performed throughout New York State.