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The Tennessee Justice Center is a non-profit, public interest law and advocacy firm serving the poor. We give priority to policy issues and civil cases in which the most basic necessities of life are at stake, and where our advocacy can benefit families statewide. We work to empower our clients - who drive our work - by holding government accountable for its policies and actions.

Latest News

Is Tennessee Children's Health a Priority?

TJC's Executive Director, Gordon Bonnyman, and Managing Attorney, Michele Johnson, explain how recent state decisions put kids at risk. Read their op/ed in the Tennessean. And the Tennessean staff agrees.

TJC Video Premiere

Check out TJC's new video on YouTube. Thanks to Vanderbilt students Alex Helman, Joslin Woods, Dan Howell, Christopher Baity, Jessica Morrow, and Stephanie Botero, as well as their teacher Ms. Carole Kenner from Vanderbilt's Communications Department, for making this video possible!

Nashville Mayor Honors TJC's Jane Beasley

Jane Beasley, senior client advocate and paralegal at the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC), has received the Professional Award from the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities in recognition of her work in improving and enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. The award was presented to Beasley during an awards ceremony and reception held at the Frist Center in Nashville. Learn more about Jane's honor.

TJC Files Complaint on Behalf of People with Disabilities

On September 11, 2009, TJC submitted a complaint to the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on behalf of TennCare beneficiaries with severe disabilities. The complaint charges that the State of Tennessee is refusing to afford them a meaningful opportunity to appeal when the State or its HMO contractors wrongfully terminate their health care coverage or refuse to provide prescribed medical care.  Read more about the complaint.

Federal Court Win for TennCare Children

The federal court in Nashville has rejected an attempt to set aside the state’s promises affecting over 500,000 children enrolled in TennCare. State officials argued that the court could no longer enforce a state agreement to obey federal laws protecting low income children. Read the court's ruling.

The John B. case was filed over ten years ago on behalf of over 500,000 Tennessee children enrolled in TennCare. The TennCare program was not meeting national quality standards for the medical care of children. In 1998, the State agreed to a detailed plan to achieve compliance over a period of years. In 2001, the State was found to be violating the law and in 2007, a panel of independent monitors found that the State still could not demonstrate compliance.

The State asked to set aside the agreement anyway, arguing that recent rulings of the higher courts meant the court could no longer enforce the children’s rights. In a 53 page opinion, Judge William J. Haynes, Jr. rejected the state’s arguments.

Michele Johnson of the Tennessee Justice Center, one of the attorneys representing TennCare children, said, “It is tragic that the state is still not keeping its promise to these children. Instead, it is wasting taxpayer funds trying to avoid its moral and legal obligations to Tennessee's neediest children, including foster children in the state’s own care. The money would be better spent to bring their care up to federal standards. The well being of our children will affect the future for all Tennesseans.”

Gordon Bonnyman Wins National Award

TJC Executive Director Gordon Bonnyman has been recognized by the law firm of  Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP & Affiliates and the University of Alabama School of Law. Bonnyman was awarded the prestigious Morris Dees Justice Award for 2009. The award honors a “life-long career dedicated to public service, including his fight for civil rights, equality, and freedom, and against poverty, discrimination, and racism.” Read the Nashville Post's and Tennessean's coverage of this honor. Read excerpts from letters in support of Bonnyman's candidacy for the award.

Daniels Video Conference for Advocates and Consumers

Were you, a loved one, or a patient/client in the Daniels class and now being cut off TennCare? Learn more about what you what you can do to keep TennCare if you are eligible. For those not eligible, learn about other options.

New "LEASE" for Foster Families

TJC announces its Legal Education, Advocacy, Services, & Empowerment (LEASE) project. This project helps middle Tennessee foster children enrolled in TennCare obtain needed health and mental health services. <more>