Born in Detroit, Goldsmith was a member of the first graduating class of Hillel Day School.

[1] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974 from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor in 1977 from Harvard Law School.

[2][3] From 1979 until 1980, Goldsmith served as a litigation associate for the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in New York City.

[2] From 1980 until 1987, Goldsmith served as a sole legal practitioner in Birmingham, Michigan.

On February 4, 2010, Obama officially nominated Goldsmith for the seat, which would fill the vacancy created by the decision by Judge John Corbett O'Meara to assume senior status.