New Student Organization – Transformative Justice Initiative (TJI)

The Transformative Justice Initiative (TJI) is a new student organization at Memphis Law dedicated to reimagining justice beyond incarceration, punishment, and surveillance. Rooted in abolitionist values and inspired by grassroots organizing, TJI will serve as a space for students interested in movement lawyering, public defense, decarceral legal strategies, and building alternatives to the criminal legal system.

Our mission is to equip law students with the tools, knowledge, and community connections necessary to challenge systemic injustice and build a legal system focused on healing, accountability, and liberation. Through events, panels, workshops, and collaborations with advocates and directly impacted communities, we will explore how lawyers can act in solidarity with movements for transformative change.

We plan to hold an interest meeting early in the Fall semester—stay tuned for more details. If you’re interested in joining or want to learn more, please contact:

Tyler Foster, President – tyler.foster@memphis.edu

Matthew Deutsch, Vice President – mtdutsch@memphis.edu.