© Erin Brady Worsham

This original work of art
was inspired by the
Tennessee Justice Center.
Learn more about the artist, Erin Brady Worsham,
by clicking here.

Click to get involved.

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

Artist, Wife, and Mother with Lou Gehrig's Disease Faces Foreclosure

Update: Worsham Court Hearing

Erin Brady Worsham is an artist whose colorful and thought-provoking works have been exhibited internationally.  She was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1994.  Erin and her husband Curry have lived in their East Nashville home for 21 years, and their son Daniel, 15, has lived there his whole life. On May 12, Bank of America foreclosed on their mortgage and took title to the home.

Watch a video about Erin's life. Read the Worshams' story and watch a slideshow of Erin's life with ALS. Get inspired by Erin's faith or read her story in The Tennessean. Find out more from News Channel 5.

TJC on TV!

News Channel 5's the °Plus Side of Nashville" host Tuwanda Coleman interviewed TJC volunteers and clients for a special TV appearance.  Watch it online now: TJC Interview Part 1; TJC Interview Part 2

TJC Celebrates with Supreme Court Justices, Pro Bono Attorneys, and Friends

Bass, Berry & Sims PLC hosted a TJC celebration at their offices in Nashville on June 4. To see more photos of this event, please visit our Facebook page.

Have you or people you know been hurt by the recent flooding?

Our simple checklist can tell you what disaster aid is available and where to get help.

National Health Reform

As our nation implements historic health insurance reform legislation, we help keep you updated on health reform stories from fellow Tennesseans like the Maralescu's story. For more information on health reform, visit our "News" page.

Presenting TJC's 2010 Mothers of the Year

This year, six mothers from across the state are being honored with the TJC Mother of the Year Award. Celebrate Mother's Day by reading the stories of these courageous women's struggles to get healthcare for their children. And don't miss stories of four mothers nominated by their communities.

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 videos. 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 possible!

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."

"LEASE" for Foster Families

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