Friday, January 10, 2020

Mississippi Bar Last in Serving Public Online

The Mississippi Bar Association lags behind the rest of the Southeast in helping consumers file bar complaints or obtaining a lawyer's disciplinary history.  While most of the bar associations make such information available online, Mississippians must still use a telephone and the good ole U.S. Postal Service that once employed Eudora Welty. 

Most bar associations in the Southeast provide complaint forms that can be downloaded in pdf format.  Some even go so far as to provide online complaint forms to the aggrieved.  A customer-friendly bar association, yes, those do actually exist.

But Mississippi being Mississippi means it stays stuck in the past.   Want to file a bar complaint? Call the bar and ask for a complaint form.  The bar will mail a complaint form through snail mail.  The consumer can either return the complaint again using snail mail or submit it in person to the Bar.


A bar official said the process  filters out complaints that do not rise to the level of bar complaints.  For example, many consumers call to complain that the lawyer will not return their phone calls.  The bar will communicate to the attorney that he or she needs to contact the client.   Such conduct does not necessarily rise to the level of a bar complaint.  Filtering out such "complaints" prevents them from clogging the bar complaint process.

Is Mississippi stuck in the mud when it comes to filing bar complaints? Compare Mississippi to other Southern states.  

Complaints available for download: Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia,  Missouri, Oklahoma

Online complaint submissions: Missouri, Texas,  Tennessee

Complaints only available via telephone or snail mail:   Mississippi, South Carolina


Unfortunately, the Mississippi bar's failure to serve the public in modern fashion doesn't stop with bar complaints.  Want to check out a lawyers disciplinary history on the bar's website? Good luck.  Most states post such information online but not Mississippi.  The bar's website doesn't mention any disciplinary  actions taken against attorneys unless they are currently suspended or disbarred.

Some states post disciplinary actions by year while others post them under a lawyer's profile in the bar directory.  The Mississippi bar will provide a lawyer's disciplinary history over the phone or in response to a written request.

The bar publishes lawyer discipline in its quarterly journal, the Mississippi Lawyer.  The magazine is available to the public online but the Bar made it tougher to obtain information against wayward attorneys from the magazine.

Once upon a time, the Mississippi Lawyer was available in a pdf format.  An interested citizen could download the magazine and use pdf tools such as the zoom feature to read the bar discipline section.  Somewhere along the way, the Bar discarded the pdf format and began using an online viewer that has no zoom feature (I had to zoom out to 30% to be able to read it).  What appears is a page of tiny print.  One has to screen save the disciplinary page, crop the desired information, save, and then expand for reading.  It's a whole lotta trouble just to see which lawyers got in trouble.    To make matters worse, the most recent Mississippi Lawyer issue available online is from Spring 2019.



Compare Mississippi to the rest of the Southeast.

Alabama:  Disciplinary actions posted online back to 2007.
Tennessee: Disciplinary actions for at least the past five years are posted online.
Georgia: Disciplinary history is posted online.
Texas: Disciplinary history is posted under a barrister's bar online profile.
Arkansas: Disciplinary history posted online.
Florida; 10-year disciplinary history posted under lawyer's online profile.
South Carolina: List of actions taken against lawyers prior to 2019.
North Carolina: Discipline orders posted online.
Virginia: Disciplinary decisions posted online.
Missouri: Nothing posted online
Oklahoma: Nothing posted online.
Mississippi: Nothing posted online. 

Louisiana: Reported in bar journal but the journal is posted online in pdf format and is current.

Simply put, the Mississippi Bar is dead last in the Southeast when it comes to serving the public.  Consumers have to jump through too many hoops to check out lawyers.  The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure drew quite a bit of heat several years ago when Consumer Reports blasted the Board for not making disciplinary actions taken against doctors available to the public on its website.  The Board took the hint and made its website much more consumer-friendly.  Patients are now able to see Board actions taken against doctors online.  Earlier post. 

 Kingfish note: It is 2020.  The public should be able to check a lawyer's disciplinary history online and shouldn't have to speak to someone to file a bar complaint.   It is the bar's job to protect and serve the public, not protect and serve the lawyers.  Posted below is a collection of other bar association complaint forms that are posted online.

Let the gnashing of teeth begin.









25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's my complaint MS Bar - too many lawyer adds!!! I realize that several years back guys approved advertising, and I understand the need for them to do so, but please, I'm waving the white flag. How many times a day must we subjected to seeing the same two faces - and we all know to whom I refer. I beseech you out human decency, put some limits on their advertising and put an end to this cruel and unusual punishment.

Anonymous said...

10:10 am

It’s “ads.”

But I get it...I’m a lawyer and i cringe

Anonymous said...

Mississippi is behind on something --- the hell you say!!

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, the United States Supreme Court ruled that limitations on lawyer advertising are few and far between. The frequency of the ads is not one of them, much to all of our regret.

Anonymous said...

Cute headline KF- "Bar" and "Serving". It would be nice it the legislature would step in and create bar transparency via mandates, but the legal tentacles may be too tightly wound in the House and Senate. And as to the ads, people used to aspire for their children to become lawyers. No more...

Anonymous said...

Why can't I find out if my doctor has ever removed the wrong kidney? There is no repository to find out about claims against physicians.

Commander Jethro Codpiece ESQ said...

Can't easily file a complaint?

Can't easily be getting up in the business of lawyers who might have com-plaints filed agin them?

Mission Accomplished!

Anonymous said...

I said it 14 years ago in highschool and it remains true today: Mississippi lags behind in technology access by 20 years.

Anonymous said...

I'm thrilled that the public cannot learn about the 11 bar complaints that have been filed against me. That would hurt my livelihood, no doubt.

Louis LeFleur said...

11:20 a.m. said, "I said it 14 years ago in highschool..." 14 years ago?! Lawd, son, thanks for making me feel so old on a dreary Friday morning. Geez, my daughter has been out of college and married for longer than that.

Anonymous said...

@11:50
Class of 2000 here. Folks here call me a tide pod eating millennial but I'm 39 and have a teenager of my own.

Anonymous said...

Part of the problem -- in addition to the Mississippi Bar's being a generation behind the rest of the country in terms of technology -- is that the Mississippi Bar is what is referred to as a "mandatory" or "unitary" bar. That means, simply, if you want to be a practicing lawyer in Mississippi, you have to belong to the Bar. It is, in that sense, not an "association" (though often called that) at all, because no practicing lawyer has the discretion to disassociate or not to belong, if he/she wants to practice law in Mississippi. In Tennessee, the Bar is a voluntary association, and the disciplinary functions are handled by the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, which is an arm of the Tennessee Supreme Court. I've had a Mississippi license for over 30 years and a Tennessee license for almost 15 years. Frankly, I have found dealing with the folks in Tennessee much simpler over those 15 years.

Anonymous said...

"The Mississippi Bar Association lags behind the rest, the Mississippi bar's failure to serve the public, and simply put, the Mississippi Bar is dead last."

There, fixed it for you. Add to that there aren't many regularly-practicing lawyers in MS who could make it anywhere but within the good-ol-boy, home-cookin' of MS, and that we elect not only judges but appellate justices, and what does anyone expect? As to the appellate courts, Mike Randolph is the CJ of MSSC - enough said (or at least, enough such as KF will allow it) and of the 18 remaining appellate justices, none are exactly legal scholars albeit 2-3 are at least decent enough lawyer/jurists who generally appear to at least want and sincerely attempt to do their (objective) legal best. Thankfully, there are a few judges and chancellors sprinkled around the state to provide a glimmer of hope, but for the most part, it's more of the same who-you-know home cooking. And it sucks. But until the citizens demand changes and put their votes where their mouths are, it will remain just another category in which Mississippi brings up the rear. And that sucks, too.

Anonymous said...

I'm an attorney who's familiar with the Bar. That's all I can say because people read this site and I don't want to out anybody. Morale is pretty low over there right now. Things were running well when Larry was running the place, but the new director (newish she's been there for a couple of years now) has not taken the Bar forwards in any way. Instead she's made some friend hires, including a very well paid director of "compliance" (I thought that was General Counsel's job). Meanwhile there's not a single full-time IT professional in the building, which they have desperately needed for years. Instead of making friend hires and virtue signalling about their new diversity committees, they need to do their jobs. There are a lot of really good people that work in that building. This is a problem at the top. The MS Bar needs a new director.

Anonymous said...

I get nothing from the bar. time to abolish it. another anachronism.

Anonymous said...

Member since 1995. My dealings with the MSBAR have left me confident of a few things. There is no accountability, if you know the right people. A blend of corruption, incompetence, indifference.

Anonymous said...

The current issue of The Mississippi Lawyer is bigger print than the older issues. The older issues are just thumbnails and they won't resize.

Anonymous said...

The Mississippi Bar realizes not all people in Mississippi know how to download a pdf or how to use PC's,but, they all known how to use the postal system.
I agree with you The Mississippi Bar should have both system in place postal & online.

Madison Rulz said...

I said it 35 years ago in high school and it's still true today. The future is in fax machines and pagers.

Anonymous said...

10:14 - It's "I".

Anonymous said...

I've had very few bar complaints and they were all batshit crazy but the craziest one was filed by a criminal who stole a car from my father. He wrote the Bar that I tried to run him over. The Bar was actually going to take that to committee until I provided them with about 200 pages documenting the scumbag's extensive criminal history and his reputation for filing HUNDREDS of frivolous lawsuits. He's still filing them. And he's still in prison.

Kingfish said...

Oh yes, good ole Demario.

Dayum! said...

"Folks here call me a tide pod eating millennial but I'm 39 and have a teenager of my own."

If you were in high school 14 years ago, you were a 25 year old high school kid. And you're asking to be taken seriously?

Please get help for that Tide Pod addiction.

Anonymous said...

The Mississippi Bar is ridiculous. Extremely high mandatory dues, yet I have no idea where my money goes over there. They are definitely more employees than are needed, and overpaid as well. Abolish the damn thing.

Anonymous said...


Completely worthless entity. Go ahead and file a bar complaint. It will be in limbo for years!


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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