A fierce ideological civil war is playing out in some Tennessee Republican state legislative primary contests as tea party-style Republicans and traditional conservatives battle ahead of Thursday’s election, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press (subscription required). Money for independent expenditures poured in by super PACs on both sides has reached more than $300,000, the paper reports.

The Williamson County Bar Association (WCBA) recently conducted a retention election poll for the justices and judges of the state Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Criminal Court of Appeals. Association members voted to recommend retention for all. With regard to the Supreme Court justices, 97 percent of WCBA members recommended retention for Justice Connie Clark; 86 percent recommended retention for Justice Sharon Lee; and 89 percent recommended retention for Chief Justice Gary Wade. In releasing the poll results, WCBA President Neil Campbell stated, “The data gathered from the polling speaks for itself and shows that the Williamson County Bar Association clearly recognizes the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary and court system.”

Several prosecutors spoke in support of Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade and Justices Cornelia Clark and Sharon Lee at a news conference yesterday at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Knoxville. The speakers argued that the justices are honorable, follow the law and deserve to be retained in Thursday's election. A half-dozen Knoxville lawyers joined the justices as did Eddie Biggs, chief deputy of the Knox County Sheriff's Office. Wade said the justices have the support of sheriffs and police departments across the state. Knoxnews has more.

Only 55 percent of the 1.2 million immigrants who were eligible for relief from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012 have applied, according to a new Migration Policy Institute report. Under DACA, unauthorized immigrants who entered the United States before the age of 16 and were under the age of 31 in 2012 can win the right to work in the country if they can meet certain residency and education requirements. The Memphis Business Journal has more.

In a letter to the editor published today in the Kingsport Times News, six Sullivan County judges encourage citizens to do proper research before voting on Aug. 7. “We do not write this letter to recommend retaining, replacing or voting for any public official,” they state. “However, we feel we are obligated to warn the public that we are concerned and dismayed by the attitude displayed by many politicians, both nationally and locally, that think they are entitled to provide false information to the public.” The judges warn voters against being misled by labels, catchy slogans and unrealistic promises.

Among the legal community there is concern that the campaign to remove three of Tennessee's Supreme Court justices poses a threat to the independence of the judiciary and the predictability businesses expect from the high court, but some in the business community argue the opposite, suggesting that appointees from a Republican governor would create greater certainty, the Nashville Business Journal reports. “For business owners, predictability of legislation that’s been passed is critical. Tort reform is a prime example,” said Bill Lee, CEO of Franklin-based Lee Company, a provider of heating, air-conditioning and other facility services. “It’s business-friendly and Tennessee-citizen friendly legislation. The only danger to that continuity is the [state] Supreme Court overturning it, which may well happen with the existing judges in place.”

Year-end results for 2013 reveal that the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and its team of volunteer pro bono attorneys provided more than $17.4 million in free legal help throughout 48 counties. Throughout the year, Legal Aid handled a total of 7,709 cases for low-income individuals and families and received more than 18,000 requests for assistance. Cases covered a variety of legal issues, with family law being the most common. “These numbers not only reflect Legal Aid Society’s dedication to work toward fairness for all people in the civil justice system, they also speak to the continual need for our services,” Executive Director Gary Housepian said in a press release.

Less than a week after a software glitch sent bar-examination takers scrambling to upload their answers, disgruntled law graduates have filed two class actions against the company that provided the testing software, the National Law Journal reports. Bar examiners use ExamSoft’s software to manage delivery of their tests to candidates who use computers. Test takers pay between $100 and $150 to download the software, which allows them to upload the written portions of their tests for grading, according to the complaints. On July 29, many encountered a glitch that held up their answers for many hours. A number of jurisdictions extended their submission deadlines, but some test takers were left frustrated and rattled. The suits seek compensation for the emotional distress test takers suffered as they waited to find out whether their exam answers had uploaded properly. Download the story.

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts will launch the ABA's yearlong, 800th anniversary commemoration of the Magna Carta during the ABA Annual Meeting in Boston this week. In his address to the House of Delegates, Roberts will talk about the historical and current significance of the document sealed by King John of England in 1215 in response to demands by landowning barons. A traveling exhibit curated by the Library of Congress, “Magna Carta: Enduring Legacy 1215-2015,” will be unveiled at the meeting and then move to cities around the country. Its travel will culminate with the ABA's London Sessions next June in England. The ABA Journal has more.

Gov. Bill Haslam, who is facing nominal competition in the Republican primary tomorrow, said he is traveling the entire state of Tennessee “to remind people of the importance of voting.” Having been mayor of Knoxville and seeking a second term as governor, Haslam said he understands how important it is to get out the vote. The Post has more on his stop in Murfreesboro yesterday.