NATCHEZ &045; The next Adams County Board of Supervisors meeting will be without one veteran face.

Twelve-year Board Attorney Marion Smith will retire from his duties with the county at the end of the month, leaving the legal responsibilities in the hands of attorney Bob Latham.

Adams County has been one of Smith’s clients since 1992 when the board voted him in.

&uot;I have treated it just as an office client,&uot; Smith said. &uot;I tried to keep it out of trouble.&uot;

Smith said the county has not faced any serious legal threats in his time with the board and most problems were settled out of court.

He also had an active role in redistricting the county to comply with federal and state law.

&uot;Representing a public body is a good bit different from representing a client because you are restricted by state law,&uot; Smith said.

Board President Darryl Grennell said Smith will be missed.

&uot;I hate to lose him personally,&uot; Grennell said. &uot;Marion to me has been a very good lawyer. He’s very knowledgeable in governmental law.&uot;

Grennell and Smith credited some of his knowledge to a stint in the state Senate from 1960-1972, including a job as president pro-tempore.

&uot;I have some feel for governmental activity,&uot; Smith said. &uot;That brings a little more knowledge.&uot;

Prior to his time in the Senate Smith taught law school at the University of Mississippi and practiced law on his own.

Though Smith is retiring from his job with the county, he will continue to be a private practice lawyer in Natchez.

&uot;I’ve never gotten out of it,&uot; Smith said. &uot;I’ve continued private practice. I’m only retiring from the board. When the time comes, the time comes.&uot;

Smith said he has enjoyed working with all the supervisors since 1992 and holds them all in high regard.

&uot;The last couple of years have been tough for everyone in the county,&uot; Smith said. &uot;Both county and city faced up to the challenge, and I can see some benefits coming from it.&uot;

Grennell said he knows Smith will still be around for advice, and said he is confident Latham will perform well.

&uot;Bob is familiar with a lot of the prospects we are negotiating with and will help in terms of transition,&uot; Grennell said.

The board attorney is chosen by a vote of the supervisors.