Republican state Sen. Jim Tracy has maintained his campaign fundraising lead over incumbent Rep. Scott DesJarlais, according to the candidates’ latest disclosures to the Federal Election Commission. From Jan. 1 through March 31, Tracy reported raising $172,061 while DesJarlais reported raising $76,102. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has more.

Public Defender Dawn Deaner said her office is suffering from crushing caseloads and losing too many attorneys to higher-paying jobs during a budget pitch to Mayor Karl Dean Wednesday. Deaner asked for an additional $423,000 mostly to help bring salaries in line with state lawyers. Deaner’s counterpart, District Attorney Torry Johnson, asked for some $240,000 to increase attorney salaries, in addition to hiring a new social worker to help reach domestic violence victims within 48 hours of a crime. The Tennessean has more.

The Chattanooga Bar Association (CBA) will begin publishing two new columns in the Hamilton County Herald starting this month. Each piece will appear monthly, and cover a different aspect of the bar. CBA President Tim Mickel, an attorney at Evans Harrison Hackett, will profile some of the association’s notable past members as well as the historical milestones of local judges and lawyers. His column is titled “Mirable dictu,” a Latin phrase Virgil used when telling a story about a hero that means “wonderful to relate.” In addition, CBA Executive Director Lynda Minks Hood will be contributing a new column with information about current bar events, new member benefits and other topics of interest.

The Cleveland Child Advocacy Center (CAC) will hold a benefit April 12 at the Cleveland Family YMCA from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be food, music and tables where local political candidates can meet voters and hand out campaign literature. The Cleveland Daily Banner has the details.

Senior Judge Paul Summers has been assigned to preside over former judge Joe Brown’s contempt-of-court hearing, according to a spokesperson with the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. The hearing, which was originally scheduled for Friday, was canceled when all 10 criminal court judges in the 30th Judicial District recused themselves, citing Brown’s former role as a Shelby County judge. The Memphis Commercial Appeal has the story.

Following yesterday's noon deadline to submit qualifying papers, the Memphis Daily News has a roundup of uncertified political candidates for Shelby County races. Memphis City Council member Lee Harris is challenging Democratic state Sen. Ophelia Ford in the August primary for District 29 -- a seat that has held by a member of the Ford family since 1975. Statewide, Gov. Bill Haslam drew three challengers for the August Republican primary for governor, while the Democratic gubernatorial primary has seven candidates. In a separate article, the paper looks at the "filing frenzy" yesterday for several positions. The Commercial Appeal has more on Harris' challenge.

Criminal Court Judge E. Eugene Eblen, Chancellor Frank V. Williams III and District Attorney General Russell Johnson have their 9th Judicial District jobs for another eight years, as no opponents qualified for their seats in the Aug. 7 general elections before yesterday’s noon deadline. Public Defender Joe M. Walker is being challenged by current Roane County Circuit Court Clerk Kim R. Nelson. William T. "Tom" McFarland, now the Roane County attorney, and Mike S. Pemberton are running for the Circuit Court post now held by Russell Simmons, who is retiring effective Aug. 30. Visit Knoxnews for more election coverage.

Criminal Appeals Court Judge Jeff Bivins has been chosen by Gov. Bill Haslam to sit on the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Nashville Post reports. “I had the opportunity to appoint Judge Bivins to the Court of Criminal Appeals, and he has served the state extremely well in that role,” Haslam said in a press release. “Tennesseans will benefit from his vast experience as he moves to our state’s highest court.” A Kingsport native and Vanderbilt Law graduate, Bivins practiced at Boult Cummings Conners & Berry in Nashville before making his way onto the bench. He will replace Justice William C. Koch Jr., who is retiring July 15 to become dean of the Nashville School of Law.

Handling divorce cases isn’t a one-size fits all process now that family structure is more complex than ever. Learn how to handle divorce cases during the TBA’s "Modern Family" CLE on April 16. Sessions are designed to help you represent your clients based on their own unique set of circumstances. Continental Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Visit TennBarU to register or learn more.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will host a free legal clinic on Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Williamson County Public Library. No appointment is required. Visit HobNob Franklin for more information.