Nashville business leader and civil rights champion Francis Guess died at his home Thursday night, the Tennessean reports. He was 69. Guess worked for decades for the betterment of civil rights and equality, which included a 30-year run on the Tennessee Commission on Human Rights. President Ronald Reagan appointed him on the U.S Commission on Civil Rights, where he served six for years. Guess also served on the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission and was a member of the Board of Professional Responsibility. Services are pending.

University of Tennessee College of Law Professor Benjamin Barton argues that the struggles today’s legal professional faces may transform the practice of law and benefit American consumers. In a new book, “Glass Half Full: The Decline and Rebirth of the Legal Profession,” published this month by Oxford University Press, Barton explains his prediction: “It is true that the legal profession and law schools are in for tough sledding for the next few years, but there is a significant upside to these changes,” Barton said. For example, he argues that soon lawyers may earn lower incomes but devote their time to more fulfilling work and become more efficient in how they use their time.

Loudon County Commissioners have taken the first steps toward appointing a second General Sessions Court judge to serve on the bench until the 2016 election, Knoxnews reports.Three applicants have submitted resumes for the new judicial position: Amanda Smith Jolliff, Porshe Shantz and Hank Sledge. Commissioners voted 8-2 earlier this month to establish a second judicial position following a request by Sessions Court Judge Rex Dale, who said despite his long hours he was unable to keep up with the volume of cases. Commissioners will question the candidates before voting at their August meeting.

The TBA Mentoring Program is seeking volunteer mentors from across the state within specific practice areas: Nashville, Civil Rights; Brentwood, Environmental; Columbia, Litigation, General Practice, Real Estate and/or Probate and Trust; Memphis, Intellectual Property. Those participating in the program will commit to a formal mentoring relationship for one year, with a requirement to meet face-to-face at least once a month. For more information, visit the TBA Mentoring Program webpage or contact TBA staff member Christy Gibson, (615) 383-7421.

A reality television lawyer who called herself the "Legal Diva" was found slain this week in her California home, CNN reports. Loredana Nesci’s spunky personality landed the cop-turned-lawyer a show, "Loredana, Esq.," which premiered last year on the SundanceTV channel. The nonfiction show included scenes of Nesci as a mother and an attorney representing clients in Southern California. Redondo Beach police said they suspect foul play and are investigating the death as a homicide. WCYB has more.

Federal hate crime charges were filed today against Dylann Roof in the racially charged Charleston church massacre that shook the country, according to court documents. The 21-year-old Roof is accused of killing nine black worshipers at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17. WATE has the story from ABC.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery joined the state of Tennessee to an Ohio lawsuit against the EPA challenging the highly controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Led by Tennessee State Rep. Sheila Butt, R-Columbia, the effort included calls from 63 Tennessee lawmakers, the Tennessee Farm Bureau, and many other agriculture and small business organizations. The Nashville Post has more.

Supreme Court Justice Gary R. Wade, who has served the Tennessee judiciary for 28 years as a judge, justice, and chief justice, has announced he will retire in September. Justice Wade was appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2006 and was elected by his fellow justices to serve a two-year term as chief justice in September 2012. Prior to joining the high court, Wade was on the Court of Criminal Appeals, where he also served as presiding judge from 1998 until 2006. The AOC has more.

Sen. Ted Cruz today told a Senate committee he wants to amend the Constitution to subject Supreme Court justices to periodic, public retention elections. The Presidential hopeful from Texas has been an outspoken opponent of the high court rulings that upheld federal subsidies under Obamacare and legalized gay marriage in all 50 states. Cruz called the hearing of the Judiciary subcommittee he chairs on oversight, agency action, federal rights and federal courts to discuss what options the American people have to “rein in judicial tyranny.” The Hill has more.

The Hawkins County Commission may add a new fee to a defendant’s court costs to generate money for the Public Defender’s office, the Times News reports. State law gives counties the authority to add a $12.50 fee onto the court costs of convicted defendants in Sessions and Criminal courts to help pay for legal representation and support services for indigent defendants in criminal proceedings. The money would help keep a part-time public defender’s office open in Rogersville. Otherwise, defendants would have to travel to Morristown to meet with a public defender.