Tennessee SSDI lawyers who actually know Tennessee.
For more than two decades, we've represented Tennessee families through every level of the SSDI process — across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and every city in between. Local knowledge. Federal practice. Real results. Our home office is in Lebanon, Wilson County, and we serve every county in the state.
Same state. Same system. Same hearing rooms.
Tennessee disability claims are decided at five SSA hearing offices: Nashville, Franklin, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. Each office has its own judges, its own patterns, and its own quirks.
We've practiced before each of them for years. We know the judges by reputation. We know which medical opinions carry weight. We know what a Tennessee ALJ wants to see — and what to avoid.
That kind of local familiarity isn't something you can fake. It's earned, one case at a time, over decades of practice.
Founded by a Tennessean, built for Tennesseans.
David Downard was born in Springfield, Tennessee — and his grandmother's denied disability claim was what set him on the path to founding this firm. Tennessee isn't just our market. It's our reason.
- Founded by a Springfield, TN native in 2002.
- Nashville-based office since day one.
- Members of TN Trial Lawyers Association & the 15th Judicial District Bar.
- Authorized to practice before every SSA Judge in the U.S.
SSDI representation across Tennessee.
From the foothills of East Tennessee to Memphis on the Mississippi — we serve Tennessee families wherever they are. Click any city for local information and case examples.
The five hearing offices that decide Tennessee SSDI cases.
If your case goes to an ALJ hearing, it will be heard by one of these five Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) locations. We know all five.
Nashville OHO
Serves Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Wilson, and 30+ surrounding counties across Middle Tennessee.
Memphis OHO
Serves Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, Madison, and surrounding West Tennessee counties. Authorized to practice before all Memphis ALJs.
Knoxville OHO
Serves Knox, Hamilton, Sullivan, Washington, and surrounding East Tennessee counties — including the Tri-Cities and Chattanooga.
Franklin OHO
Serves the southern Middle Tennessee counties — and also hears cases from parts of northern Alabama, including the Decatur area.
Chattanooga OHO
Serves Hamilton County and the southeast Tennessee region — and also hears cases from parts of north Georgia, including the Rome area.
A Tennessee disability lawyer clients recommend.
“After two denials I was about ready to give up. Downard took my case, walked me through every step, and won it at the hearing. They treated me like a person, not a case number — and they knew the system inside and out.”
Questions specific to Tennessee.
Are SSDI hearings in Tennessee in person or by phone?
How long do Tennessee disability hearings take to schedule?
Which Tennessee SSA office handles my claim?
Can I file an SSDI claim if I live in rural Tennessee?
What's special about Tennessee SSDI law versus other states?
Do you handle long-term disability cases in Tennessee, not just SSDI?
Tennessee family ready to fight back?
Free case review. No obligation. We respond within 2 hours.