MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH TJC PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES
TJC is honored to work with top attorneys across Tennessee and the country. Our pro bono partners help families put food on the table, prevent financial collapse, and access life-saving medical care. Their time and expertise ensure Tennesseans have representation when they need it most.
REAL IMPACT
Past referrals have included cases involving a 39-year-old mother at risk of being unnecessarily placed in a nursing home, a child denied mental health treatment, and a young girl at risk of losing the home nursing care that allows her to remain with her family. This is work with direct, life-changing impact.
ACCESSIBLE
OPPORTUNITIES
Pro bono attorneys who partner with TJC have the opportunity to represent low-income Tennesseans in TennCare appeals. Hearings are conducted by phone, so attorneys do not need to be located in the same area as their clients.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
AND SUPPORT
TJC attorneys provide ongoing support and strategic guidance, ensuring you feel prepared every step of the way. This work supports families in need while offering valuable experience and a meaningful way to use your skills.
PRO BONO HALL OF FAME ATTORNEY SPOLIGHT
Jack Smith
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TJC client Ava Gray is a six-year-old girl who lives in Madison, Tennessee. Ava Gray was born with multiple severe physical and intellectual disabilities. Since her birth, TennCare had provided Ava Gray with nurses to allow her to live at home with her family. But last year, Ava Gray’s mother, Julie, was informed that TennCare was going to cut Ava Gray’s nursing hours below what she needed to stay safe at home.
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Julie turned to TJC for help. TJC reached out to our network of pro bono lawyers to find representation for Ava Gray in her appeal of the cut to her nursing hours. Jack Smith, a former U.S. Attorney and Vice President for Litigation at HCA, answered the call and represented Ava Gray at her hearing. Thanks to Jack’s skill and determination, Ava Gray won her TennCare appeal and is able to keep her home nursing hours.
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Jack was so inspired by his pro bono work with Ava Gray that he wanted to offer other HCA attorneys the opportunity to enrich their professional lives by representing other TJC clients in need of pro bono representation. He invited TJC to come to HCA and present a CLE on handling TennCare medical service appeals. On March 19, 2018, TJC presented training on handling TennCare appeals to ten HCA lawyers at HCA’s Nashville office. These lawyers were very excited about the opportunity to provide pro bono representation to TJC’s clients, and we are very excited about the opportunity to partner with HCA to ensure that our clients do not lose needed medical care simply because they lack legal representation.
Pro bono legal assistance is not only important for the clients, but it can also provide valuable legal experience for younger lawyers and enrich the professional lives of all those who participate. If you or your law firm would like to join TJC’s pro bono network and make a difference in the lives of Tennessee families, please contact our Legal Director Brant Harrell.