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SMOKEBALL | Free for members of The Mississippi Bar, Smokeball Bill - trust and billing software for law firms - helps law firms manage trust accounting compliantly, bill easily, and get paid faster. Three-way reconciliation and reporting helps attorneys stay IOLTA compliant.Whether you work inside a government agency or represent one from the private side, chances are you%u2019ve had to get answers without the benefit of an expensive research platform. In plenty of public-sector settings, commercial subscriptions just aren%u2019t in the cards. Even in private practice, it%u2019s not always efficient%u2014or cost-effective%u2014to reach for a paid database for every question that comes across your desk.Fortunately, there are a number of practical, reliable, and often overlooked resources available at no cost. Some are accessible through your Mississippi Bar membership. Others are publicly available with just a few clicks. Either way, they can help you work smarter, not harder - whether you%u2019re preparing a memo, reviewing a regulation, or trying to track down that one AG opinion from 2009 you swear you%u2019ve seen before. Here%u2019s a closer look at a few tools worth keeping in your research rotation.vLex Fastcase - Underused and Underrated: Most lawyers in Mississippi know they have free access to vLex Fastcase through the Bar, but not everyone realizes what it can actually do. Beyond state and federal caselaw, it includes the full Mississippi Code, court rules, and a surprisingly deep archive of Attorney General Opinions - an invaluable resource for anyone advising government entities on topics like meeting procedures, public records, dual office-holding, and beyond. The platform also offers search filters and tools like %u201cAuthority Check%u201d to help you connect the dots between authorities. It%u2019s not a replacement for a commercial citator, but it%u2019s better than many expect - and it%u2019s right there in your Bar portal.Administrative Rules Straight from the Source: When questions involve state agency regulations, the Mississippi Administrative Code is available directly through the Secretary of State%u2019s website. It%u2019s not the sleekest interface, but it allows you to search by keyword or browse by agency to find what you need. For anyone dealing with licensing, enforcement authority, or professional standards, it%u2019s an essential stop. Pairing a regulation with the underlying statute and relevant AG opinions can give you a well-rounded view of the legal framework%u2014without needing a subscription to get there.Statutory and Legislative Research - The Legislature%u2019s Website Has More Than You Think: The Mississippi Legislature%u2019s online portal is more than just a place to read current statutes. It also offers access to historical bill versions, amendment tracking, committee reports, and other useful bits of legislative history. That can be especially helpful when interpreting new statutory language or figuring out what changed (and why). If you%u2019ve ever been asked to weigh in on a statute that was revised mid-session - or to explain the %u201cintent%u201d behind a recent change - this site is your best bet for quick, credible background.The eCFR - Federal Research Without the Frustration: For those navigating federal regulatory issues, the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) has come a long way. It%u2019s intuitive, searchable, and regularly updated, offering a clean way to browse or pinpoint relevant federal rules. If you%u2019re advising a public employer that receives federal funds or working on a matter involving education, labor, or healthcare regulations, this is an easy, reliable place to start.Need to Compare Other States? There%u2019s a Tool for That, Too: Occasionally, the best answer comes from looking at how another state does it. Whether you%u2019re drafting model policy or responding to a %u201cdo other states allow this?%u201d type of question, the Law Library of Congress offers a curated guide to legal research links for all 50 states. It%u2019s a helpful resource for background checks on unfamiliar legal landscapes - no passwords or logins required.Final Thought - Research Doesn%u2019t Have to Be Expensive to Be Effective: Practicing law on behalf of, or alongside, government entities often requires a little more ingenuity. These tools won%u2019t replace a commercial research suite, but they don%u2019t have to. With a few solid bookmarks and some familiarity, you can answer most legal questions thoroughly and efficiently%u2014without additional cost. If you haven%u2019t explored these options in a while, it%u2019s worth revisiting what%u2019s already at your fingertips.Mississippi Bar Member Benefits Page Online with Links to Products Listed HereUPS | UPS has partnered with the Bar to provide members with significant discounts on their shipping services, including 65% off Air, 42% off Ground, and free UPS Smart Pickup Service. Heavier items? Whatever your needs - coast to coast or close to home, you can trust UPS Freight to deliver.vLEX FASTCASE | vLex Fastcase is premium legal research software with a variety of groundbreaking tools designed to make legal research easier and more intuitive. vLex Fastcase is available for free to all members of the Bar. It can be accessed through the Attorney Login on the Bar%u2019s homepage.Researching Without Westlaw? These Tools Can HelpBy Jaklyn WrigleyMEMBER BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTSUMMER 202517