Born Jeremiah Sheldon Gutman in Brooklyn, New York. Graduated from City College of New York in 1943. Served with U.S. Army, 1943-46. In 1949 received law degree from New York University, where he was editor-in-chief of law review. Made partner in firm Levy, Gutman, Goldberg & Kaplan, where he continues to practice. Traveled to Mississippi in summer of 1964 to defend civil rights workers; took depositions throughout state for Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party congressional vote challenge. Serves as president of the American/Israeli Civil Liberties Coalition, director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and co-chair of the National Coalition Against Censorship. Lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.