OUR CASES AND BRIEFS

The Beacon Center has a team of litigators who fight for Tennesseans’ liberty day in and day out. We believe all Tennesseans – regardless of their means – have the right to pursue the American Dream. Therefore, we take up their legal cause at no cost to them when senseless government barriers stand in their way. We have successfully challenged state and local laws and regulations to restore Tennesseans’ economic liberty and property rights, and to eliminate government overreach in their lives.

Recent Success:

Property Rights — May 2023: The Court ruled that the city of Nashville cannot avoid constitutional protections for private property simply by taking individuals’ property through legislative action. This was an enormous win for our plaintiffs and a reminder to Nashville that it cannot force a small group of property owners to cover the cost of public works. We are thrilled not only for our plaintiffs but for all citizens living within the Sixth Circuit.

Educational Choice – November 2022: The three-judge panel hearing the legal challenge to the state’s new ESA program dismissed the plaintiffs’ remaining claims. As a result, families can now use the ESA program to access better educational choices for their children.

Right to Earn a Living – September 2022: The Tennessee Supreme Court sided with Beacon, Goldwater Institute, and Southeastern Legal Foundation in our joint amicus brief, allowing Violaine Panasci to practice law in Tennessee. The Board of Law Examiners originally denied her application because, despite being a successful, ethical attorney in New York who had achieved an exam score much higher than what Tennessee requires after earning a masters in law from Pace University in New York, her first law degree came from Canada.

Home Business Freedom – August 2022: The Tennessee Supreme Court agreed with Beacon and the Institute for Justice that our clients Lij and Pat, both home business owners, could continue to challenge Metro Nashville’s restriction on serving clients in their homes. Nashville has long had one of the most restrictive home-business bans in the nation.

CURRENT CASES

Sidewalks to Nowhere: Jim Knight and Jason Mayes

Nashville’s sidewalk law imposes tremendous financial burdens on everyday Nashvillians like Jason Mayes and Jim Knight.

In Defense of ESAs

Beacon is defending Nashville mothers Bria Davis and Star Brumfield, whose children would benefit from the recently enacted ESA program.

Parents Deserve Answers

“My hope is that by working with the Beacon Center, the TSBA will be held accountable to Tennessee taxpayers, and parents will be given the ability to know what is going on in our public schools."

Freedom for Online Auctioneers: Will McLemore and the Interstate Auction Alliance

This case aims to restore the right to work through speech and remove senseless and protectionist barriers to interstate commerce on the internet.

Sidewalks to Nowhere: Rhonda Freeman

Nashville does not have the right to expect private parties like Rhonda to build public infrastructure for the public for free.

Save Home Businesses in Nashville: Elijah Shaw and Patricia Raynor

Beacon joins IJ to stand up for home businesses in Nashville.

PAST CASES

Elias Zarate

Elias fights against the unfair and unconstitutional rule that forces him to have a high school degree to cut hair for a living.

Adam Jackson

Adam Jackson fights back against the government to make Tennessee safer.

Gluzman Amicus Brief

Beacon joins Cato and Goldwater in protecting the right to earn a living in Tennessee for a young, Argentinian lawyer.

HBAMT vs. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

The Nashville government has taken away property rights and violated state law with its "affordable housing" mandate.

Martha Stowe and Laurie Wheeler

Martha Stowe and Laurie Wheeler have been threatened with fines and jail time for practicing equine massage therapy.

Tammy Pritchard

Tammy Pritchard has had her ability to access a job and earn an honest living hindered by arbitrary state licensing laws.

The Anderson Family

P.J. and Rachel Anderson are a young couple with two children living in Nashville. Read how the government is using an unfair new law to take away their ability to provide for their family by renting out their home on Airbnb.

Amicus Brief: Niang and Stigers vs. Carroll

Read our amicus brief on hair braiding.

Project Belle

When the government tried to shut-down Nashville business Project Belle, the Beacon Center took action.

Amicus Brief: Flytenow v. FAA

"This case challenges the FAA’s decision to shut down an innovative technology that has been called “the aviation version of Uber.”

Amicus Brief: Tort Reform

The Beacon Center filed a brief urging the Tennessee Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of the Tennessee’s Civil Justice Act’s cap on punitive damages awards.

Amicus Brief: Obamacare

This challenge argues that Obamacare was illegally and deceptively passed by Congress

Amicus Brief: Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association

"The case squarely challenges whether a state, in this case California, may require a public employee to pay public union dues to fund speech that the employee may find objectionable."

Amicus Brief: California Building Industry Ass’n vs. City of San Jose

Unconstitutional inclusionary zoning laws are sure to be an issue in the very near future for all Tennesseans.

NEED HELP?

Do you know someone who is trying to get ahead in life, but cannot because senseless legal barriers stand in their way?

If you or someone you know is trying to get ahead in life, but senseless legal barriers stand in the way, contact the Beacon Center Legal Foundation today.