Senate Republicans and a few Democrats blocked a White House-backed proposal that would have restored 3.4 percent interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans for one more year, the Memphis Daily News reports. Lawmakers are racing the clock to restore lower rates before millions of students return to campus next month to find borrowing terms twice as high as when school let out. Without congressional action in the coming weeks, the increase could mean an extra $2,600 for an average student returning to campus this fall, according to Congress' Joint Economic Committee.

Seven female firm managers said changes in the legal profession are making the time right for would-be female managers to strive for the boss’ chair. Speaking yesterday at an ABA seminar, the women said that despite filling less than 5 percent of BigLaw’s firmwide leadership roles, women lawyers need to recognize their own unique skills and values and take advantage of opportunities that can lead to management positions. Law360 has the story (Subscription required).

An opinion piece in the Memphis Commercial Appeal suggests it may be time to get television cameras out of the courtrooms, or at least encourage judges to exclude electronic media from high-profile trials. Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post Writers Group says that excessive media coverage and commentary “may be good theatre but bad for justice.” Citing coverage of the George Zimmerman murder trial, Parker says it is the court’s responsibility to protect the defendant’s rights to as fair a trial as possible, which means ensuring a “neutral and detached environment.”

Southern District Judge Denise Cote ruled this morning that Apple violated antitrust laws when it orchestrated a conspiracy to fix e-book prices with major publishers Penguin, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster, the National Law Journal reports. Cotes's ruling came in an action brought by the U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division and State of Texas v. Penguin Group (USA), brought by 33 states and U.S. territories. In a statement, Assistant Attorney General William Baer called the decision "a victory for millions of consumers who choose to read books electronically."

Interested in campaigning for a public office? “Running for Office 2013: Tennessee Campaign Ethics” is an advanced level CLE program for state and local lawmakers, judges, candidates for judicial or legislative positions, campaign chairs and campaign treasurers. It will include all aspects of the law and ethics of election for office in 2013. The July 22 program will begin at 8 a.m. and include an analysis of the election law, campaign finance compliance, and an analysis of the provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct that touches on judicial elections. Register online at TennBarU or email CLE Director Mindy Fulks for more information.

Douglas T. Jenkins of Rogersville was sworn in as chancellor of the Third Judicial District yesterday, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. Criminal Court Judge John D. Dugger, Jr. performed the ceremony.  Jenkins, 45, has practiced in Rogersville since 1997.  The vacancy was created by the appointment of Chancellor Thomas R. Frierson to the Tennessee Court of Appeals earlier this year. The Third Judicial District serves Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins and Greene counties.

William T. “Bill” Sellers died Tuesday (July 9) at 91. A veteran of World War II, Sellers graduated from the University of Virginia Law School and began practicing in Murfreesboro in 1950.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro. Visitation will begin one hour before the service. Burial with military honors will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro or the charity of your choice . Online condolences may be left for the family at www.woodfinchapel.com.

A clinic to assist veterans with legal questions and issues will be held July 23 from noon until 2 p.m. at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs office at 1407 Union Ave. in Memphis. Organizers say most cases involve family law, employment, criminal and debt collection issues. Volunteers do not have to be certified by the VA to provide assistance at this event. Those interested in being involved should contact the Memphis Bar Association at (901) 527-3575 or afritz@memphisbar.org.

The ceremony/portrait unveiling for Honorable Thomas W. Phillips will be held tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in the brick courtyard of the Howard Baker Courthouse in Knoxville. A reception will immediately follow in the 4th floor chambers area. All members of the bar are invited. For more information, call the Knoxville Bar Association at (856) 522-6522.

Williamson County General Sessions Judge Al Nations will retire at the end of September, the Administrative Office of the Courts announced. “I am incredibly grateful to the citizens of Williamson County for the opportunity to serve the community for 18 years as a judge and 25 as a school teacher and administrator,” Judge Nations said. “Williamson County has been very good to me.”