Psychologist and author Rick Hanson is offering free guided meditations every Wednesday via Zoom. Hanson says these activities are important given that research indicates meditation is a powerful way to develop greater resilience, compassion and happiness. Everyone is welcome, and no background in meditation is needed. Each session will start with a guided meditation followed by comments from Hanson and a time for questions. Sessions will run from 8-9:30 p.m. CDT / 9-10:30 p.m. EDT. Sign up here or watch archived sessions.

Gov. Bill Lee today called on the State Capitol Commission to meet next week to determine if it is time to remove the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the Capitol. Lee, who originally opposed removal of the bust, recently said that "symbols matter" and statues are a "window into what we value," though he came short of calling for the bust’s removal. The commission agreed to meet on July 9 at 9 a.m. The state legislature recently rejected attempts to remove the bust, instead approving a bill that gives lawmakers more representation on the commission, the Tennessean reports.

The three African Americans who have served as president of the American Bar Association will be featured in the first of a three-part webinar series titled “Black Lawyers in America: A National Town Hall Series” on July 7 from 1-2:30 p.m. EDT. Former presidents Dennis Archer, Paulette Brown and Robert Grey Jr. will be joined by current ABA President Judy Perry Martinez. Joseph K. West, partner and chief diversity and inclusion officer for the Duane Morris law firm, will serve as moderator. Register here or download a flyer. The series will examine the struggle for change and racial equity in the legal profession. Following the three sessions, the ABA will release a toolkit and a Q&A framework that law firms can tailor to their needs. Dates for the other sessions have not yet been announced.

Monday afternoon was a day of celebration in the Carter County Courthouse as Andrew “Drew” LaPorte was sworn in as the new clerk and master of Carter County Chancery Court by Chancellor John Rambo. LaPorte is a 2010 graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2014 graduate of the school’s College of Law. Those in attendance also honored Melissa Moreland, who retired as clerk and master after having worked in the office since 1984. Read more about the event in the Johnson City Press.

The new Tennessee Bar Journal ushers in a new era for the TBA’s flagship publication, as it moves to a bi-monthly schedule, with more content each month. Read how that's going to work, as the TBA's electronic publications integrate and expand total coverage. This issue celebrates the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, with several related items and articles, including a review of Bill Haltom’s book, Why Can’t Mother Vote? and Part 2 of Cody Brandon’s article, “A Short History of the Right to Vote in Tennessee’s Constitutions and Court.” See a recap of the TBA’s virtual convention – a smashing success with more than 800 registrants – which featured the swearing-in of Michelle Greenway Sellers; author of The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote, Elaine Weiss; awards, CLEs, meetings and more. Take a look at the entire July-August issue.

The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims reports that it will be closed Friday for the July Fourth holiday, and on July 16 and 17 for the semi-annual Judicial Meeting. No settlements will be approved on these dates.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will continue holding its July legal clinics over the phone because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local attorneys will offer advice on questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. Those needing assistance may call 800-238-1443 on one of these dates to speak to an attorney. Please contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131, for more information or to volunteer. The next clinic will take place tomorrow from 4:30 to 6 p.m. CDT.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a number of issues yesterday. By a vote of 5-4, the justices found that the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, enacted in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, is unconstitutional. However, they said the agency can still operate so long as the director can be fired at will by the president. By a vote of 5-4, the justices found that a Montana tax incentive program that indirectly helps private religious schools is constitutional. By a vote of 8-1, the justices ruled that online travel agency Booking.com may trademark its domain name finding it distinct enough to qualify for registration. Finally, the justices left in place a lower court decision that rejected environmental groups’ challenge to sections of the wall the Trump administration is building along the U.S. border with Mexico. Read more about these cases from The Hill and the Associated Press.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division has named Nashville lawyer William “Billy” Leslie as the group’s new president-elect, filling a vacancy created when the previous office holder moved out of state. Leslie will serve a one-year term starting today and then automatically ascend to the office of president for the 2021-2022 bar year. He is a 2017 graduate of the Nashville School of Law and currently works as a judicial law clerk for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Tim Easter. He is a past participant in the YLD’s Diversity Leadership Institute and last year coordinated the program for the division. He also is a strong advocate for pro bono service. In law school, Leslie volunteered for Tennessee Free Legal Answers, wills clinics and juvenile court custody clinics. He also has worked with Nashville Judge Rachel Bell on expungement clinics and has been appointed to the steering committee of Judge Bell’s CARES Court. During his last year of law school, he was invited to join the Harry S. Phillips Inns of Court and was selected for the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Law Student for Justice Award. The YLD thanks all those who applied to be considered for the position.

Buddy Stockwell has been appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court as the new executive director of the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP). Stockwell comes from Louisiana where he has been a volunteer and program monitor for the state’s Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse since 1993, and executive director of the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program for the last 10 years. In announcing the hiring, Chief Justice Jeff Bivins said, “The court was impressed with Buddy’s experience, passion for assisting lawyers and judges struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, and ability to innovate and modernize.” TLAP Commission Chair Judge Michael Spitzer added that Stockwell “will bring a fresh perspective and energy to help the program develop and evolve.” Stockwell is a certified clinical interventionist through “Love First” training at the Betty Ford Center and has been in recovery from alcoholism for more than 37 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in management and a law degree from Louisiana State University.