How to Find or Select a Lawyer Through The Mississippi Bar Website

Updated

The Mississippi Bar's website (msbar.org) gives the public two main tools for this task: a Member Directory to look up attorneys and a How To Select A Lawyer guide to help you choose among them. Both are listed on the homepage under public-facing resources. Use the directory when you already know a name or location; use the selection guide when you are starting from scratch and need criteria for comparing lawyers.

Start With the Member Directory

The Member Directory is the site's lookup tool for finding attorneys. It appears on the homepage alongside other public resources such as "How To Select A Lawyer" and "Your Guide To The Law."

What the directory is for:

  • Confirming that a person is listed with The Mississippi Bar
  • Finding attorneys to contact for a matter
  • Checking basic identifying information before you reach out

What the site does not state: the exact search fields, whether results include practice areas, or whether contact details are shown for every listing. Treat the directory as a starting point and verify specifics directly with the attorney's office.

Use the "How To Select A Lawyer" Guide

The Mississippi Bar publishes a dedicated guide for the public on choosing a lawyer. This is the site's own framework for the decision, so it is worth reading before you contact anyone.

Because the site describes the guide but does not reproduce its full contents on the homepage, open the guide itself for the criteria. In general, a selection process through this kind of guide covers:

  1. Identify your legal need — the type of matter (for example, a family, business, or criminal issue) narrows which lawyers are relevant.
  2. Check qualifications and experience — whether the lawyer handles matters like yours and how long they have practiced in that area.
  3. Ask about fees and how they are charged — the site does not publish fee information, so this comes from the lawyer directly.
  4. Confirm communication and availability — who will handle your case day to day and how you will be updated.
  5. Meet or consult before committing — use an initial conversation to test fit.

Other Public Resources on the Site

Beyond the directory and selection guide, the homepage points to:

Resource What it gives you
Your Guide To The Law General legal information for the public
Pro Bono Resources A path to free or reduced-cost legal help
Member Directory Attorney lookup
How To Select A Lawyer Criteria for choosing counsel

The Pro Bono Resources page is the entry point if cost is a barrier. The site does not state eligibility rules or income limits on the homepage, so check that page for current terms.

Practical Sequence

  1. Open msbar.org and go to the public section.
  2. Read "How To Select A Lawyer" to set your criteria.
  3. Search the Member Directory for attorneys matching your need and location.
  4. Contact candidates and ask about experience, fees, and availability.
  5. If cost is an issue, check Pro Bono Resources before or alongside your search.

Common Sticking Points

  • The directory is not a rating or review service. It is a listing, not an endorsement or quality ranking. The site does not present it as a way to compare lawyers by performance.
  • No fee data is published. Any pricing question has to go to the lawyer's office.
  • Practice-area filtering is unconfirmed. If the directory does not let you filter by specialty, use the selection guide's criteria and ask each lawyer directly whether they handle your type of matter.
  • Verification matters. Confirm licensure status and any disciplinary history through the Bar rather than relying on a single listing page.