SMITHFIELD - Mark Payne, Johnston County's attorney, wrapped up his tenure here last Friday. Payne, who held the post for 11 years, started as Guilford County's attorney on Monday.

Payne, 52, served in the N.C. Attorney General's Office earlier in life and went in and out of private practice. He much prefers public work, he said.

"Frankly, I feel good about what I do every day; in private practice you don't always have that luxury," Payne said. "I know that I'm working for the citizens of the county."

Payne was a fixture at Board of Commissioner meetings, where he would often rise with a sigh to settle vexing legal questions.

He is most proud of improving county staffers' understanding of the law, especially where it pertains to public records and open meetings.

"Things are getting more and more complicated," he said. But if employees understand the law, they'll "make less expensive decisions," he added.

County Commissioners Chairman Wade Stewart said Payne's comprehensive knowledge had served the county and the commissioners well.

"I told him yesterday: As far as Wade Stewart's concerned, if he hadn't made this choice ...he would have been the county attorney the rest of his life," Stewart said. "We're gonna miss him."

At his new job, Payne will serve a county with nearly the triple the population of Johnston County. In Johnston, he earned $117,000 per year, while he will get $145,000 per year in Guilford. The city of Greensboro is part of Guilford.

"I've loved working here, and I love the folks that I've worked with," Payne said. "I just hope I have as good a staff in Guilford County as I've had here."

Johnston County has already advertised the newly-opened attorney position on a statewide e-mail list and with the local bar association, said County Manager Rick Hester said. The deadline for applications is mid-November, and the county wants to have a new attorney soon afterward. David Mills will serve as interim attorney for the county.