Judge William J. Haynes Jr.

As a judge, William J. Haynes, Jr. was entrusted with the responsibility of making decisions that critically affected the lives of his fellow citizens. He discharged that responsibility with compassion, courage, integrity, skill, a tireless work ethic and, most importantly, a passion for justice. Those qualities were never more needed, and were never more evident, than in the cases that the Tennessee Justice Center brought to Judge Haynes’ court. Our clients, too often disregarded and devalued outside of the courthouse, received the same full measure of respect and concern that he extended to the powerful institutions and individuals who were their adversaries. Hundreds of thousands of Tennessee mothers and children were never aware that Judge Haynes was responsible for their being able to get the quality health care guaranteed to them by law, but that powerful institutions would have denied them.