The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc. was founded in 2019 by Rahman “Ray” Popal, a tenant rights attorney who represents only renters. Before starting the firm, he spent five years as an associate attorney at a tenant rights firm in San Francisco. He was named a Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2020 to 2023, selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers list in 2024, and has taught in the University of San Francisco School of Law’s Moot Court Program since 2015.
When your home becomes the source of a legal problem, you don’t want to feel like just another case file. You want to know that the person across from you understands how serious the situation is, whether your landlord is refusing to make needed repairs or you’re being pushed to leave. That idea is at the heart of The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc.
Who Is Rahman Popal?
Rahman Popal is the founder and managing partner of The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc. He chose tenant law because he wanted to represent people who have less power when facing unfair treatment, and he believes that adequate housing is a human right.
After law school, Rahman spent five years as an associate attorney at a tenant rights firm in San Francisco, representing renters in disputes with their landlords. In 2019, he started his own firm with the same focus. Today, the San Francisco-based firm represents tenants only, across California, in cases involving wrongful evictions, unsafe living conditions, landlord harassment, discrimination, and rent ordinance protections. Learn more about our firm.
Recognition and Awards
- Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2020 to 2023: selected four years in a row for Northern California. Super Lawyers chooses honorees through nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation.
- Northern California Super Lawyers, 2024: selected to the main Super Lawyers list.
- Best Tenant Rights Lawyer in California 2025 (nominee): nominated by the Santa Monica Daily Press.
- Firm nominations: the firm has also been nominated by the Santa Monica Daily Press for Best Tenant Law Firm 2024, Best Law Firm in California 2025, and Best Tenant Rights Law Firm in California.
Awards aren’t the only thing that matters when you choose a lawyer. Experience and a clear focus on tenants matter too. Still, outside recognition is part of the story of the work Rahman has built.
Published Legal Work
Rahman has written about tenant law for other attorneys, including articles published in Plaintiff Magazine:
- Establishing bad-faith landlord harassment
- Trebling damages for premises liability and habitability bodily injury claims
Notable Results
Every case is different, and past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome. Examples of the firm’s work include:
- A $500,000 settlement for disabled tenants in Oakland who were evicted under a false owner move-in claim.
- A buyout of more than $150,000 for a tenant in Los Angeles, which the Santa Monica Daily Press reported placed in the top 1% of buyouts citywide, after the client had been turned away by nearly twenty other firms.
Teaching the Next Generation of Lawyers
Since 2015, Rahman has served as an adjunct professor with the University of San Francisco School of Law’s Moot Court Program, where he helps students develop legal arguments and prepare for courtroom advocacy. It’s a role he continues alongside his work representing tenants.
Why Our Work Starts With Tenants
We represent tenants, never landlords. Many people facing a housing dispute are already under financial pressure, so we handle qualifying cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means you may not have to pay legal fees upfront, though you may still be responsible for costs. We’ll explain how fees and costs work during your free consultation.
If you’re dealing with a housing problem in California, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded The Law Firm For Tenant Rights?
The firm was founded by Rahman “Ray” Popal, a tenant rights attorney who previously spent five years as an associate at a tenant rights firm in San Francisco.
When was the firm founded?
Rahman Popal started the firm in 2019.
Where is the firm based?
The firm is based in San Francisco and represents tenants throughout California, by phone, video, and in court.
Does the firm represent landlords?
No. The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc. represents tenants only.
How does the firm charge for its services?
The first consultation is free, and the firm handles qualifying cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you may not have to pay legal fees upfront. You may still be responsible for costs.
What recognition has Rahman Popal received?
He was a Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2020 to 2023, was selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers list in 2024, and was nominated for Best Tenant Rights Lawyer in California 2025 by the Santa Monica Daily Press.
What Happens When You Reach Out to Us?
You don’t need to have all the answers before contacting us. Start by telling us what happened, and we’ll review your situation and explain the legal options that may be available. Housing law gets complicated quickly, and early guidance can help you make a more informed decision about what to do next.
If you’re unsure where you stand, reach out to us or call 866-939-8224. Have another question? See all our tenant rights FAQs.