Local attorney honored with Larry G. Smith Professionalism Award
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)- The local legal community honored one of their own on Thursday.
Each year, the 14th Judicial Circuit hands out the Larry G. Smith Professionalism Award to a local attorney who exemplifies and promotes professionalism.
During his career, Smith served as a private attorney, assistant state attorney, and circuit judge in Bay County.
After his death, his colleagues decided to honor him by naming the professionalism award after him.
This year's recipient is Sandy Sandborn. He has been a lawyer in Bay County for 49 years.
Sandborn practices civil litigation at the Barron and Redding firm. He said he is honored to receive the award.
'I looked up to Judge Smith from the time I first came to town back in 1986. He was already on the first district court of appeal, but he was very well respected. And I knew Larry from his time on the bench and also attended the same church with him. And he was just a superhuman being and a wonderful judge and so, yeah, it's an honor to have an award with his name on it,' Sandborn said.
Sandborn said he still enjoys going into work every day and has no plans to retire. He said the most rewarding part is helping people resolve difficult cases.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
LaGrange honors two heroes who stopped runaway car as driver suffered seizure
LaGRANGE, Ga. (WRBL) – On Friday morning, the Troup County Sheriff's Office and the City of LaGrange will present the Citizen Bravery Award to two men who took bold action to stop a medical emergency from turning into a tragedy. Honorees Zion Reed, 22, and Drew Garner are being recognized for rescuing a woman suffering a seizure while driving on Hamilton Road on May 2. Reed, a mobile propane technician, leapt into action when he saw the driver veer into oncoming traffic near the Bryant Lake subdivision. Witness Drew Garner, who captured the event in photos and helped call 911, described Reed as sprinting toward the car, diving in headfirst, and slamming the brake — stopping the vehicle just feet away from a dump truck. The driver was convulsing and vomiting, but thanks to Reedbravery, she survived. 'This lady was having a seizure while driving, and the Lord gave me the strength to stop her vehicle before an accident occurred,' Reed later shared. 'Lord, I thank you for putting me in this position this morning.' Reed's mother added a touching detail — Zion was born weighing just 1 lb. 14 oz. 'We knew he was going to be special,' she said. In an emotional message sent to WRBL, the woman whose life was saved personally thanked both men. She said she is grateful beyond words and overwhelmed by their courage, saying she may not be alive today if not for their actions. The Troup County Sheriff's Office and City of LaGrange say both men embody the very best of their community. The award ceremony will be held at 9:00 AM during the City Council Meeting at 208 Ridley Avenue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Country Star Conner Smith Kills Elderly Woman in Car Accident: Police
Originally appeared on E! Online Conner Smith is at the center of an ongoing investigation. The country artist was behind the wheel of a pickup truck that struck a pedestrian June 8 in Nashville, according to a press release from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. The 77-year-old victim, identified as Dorothy Dobbins, appeared to be walking inside a marked crosswalk when the incident occurred, according to authorities. She was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she died shortly thereafter. Authorities listed the preliminary contributing factor for the fatal accident as Smith's failure to yield the right of way to Dobbins, noting in the release that the 24-year-old showed 'no signs of impairment.' No charges have been filed in the case. One day after the tragedy, Smith's attorney addressed the matter on behalf of the musician. 'On June 8th, Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life,' Worrick G. Robinson said in a statement to E! News. 'His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time.' More from E! Online Justin Bieber Slams "Transactional Relationships' After Hailey Bieber Split Rumors Blake Lively Breaks Silence on Legal Victory Against Justin Baldoni Farrah Abraham's Daughter Sophia Shares Rare Glimpse at Family Vacation Robinson added, 'Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.' Smith first rose to prominence in 2021 with his viral single 'I Hate Alabama' and released his debut album Smoky Mountains in 2024. Earlier in the weekend, he performed at the 2025 CMA Fest in Nashville, describing the event as a career highlight. 'I just remember coming down here and watching people on that stage and dreaming about it, and looking up to the guys on that stage,' he said in an interview with American Songwriter posted on their TikTok page June 9. 'And then when you get to be up there and see people come in and pack out that lawn for you, it feels really cool.' Smith, who wed surfer Leah Thompson in April 2024, added that having his loved ones present made the performance all the more memorable. 'We always have family and friends out here as well,' he continued, calling the gig 'a really special moment.' For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Country Star Allegedly Kills Woman In Car Accident
Country Star Allegedly Kills Woman In Car Accident originally appeared on Parade. Country singer Conner Smith was involved in a fatal car accident in Nashville over the weekend, allegedly striking and killing a woman walking in a crosswalk. According to a release shared by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Smith, 24, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on Sunday, June 8 when he hit Dorothy Dobbins, 77, as she crossed the road inside a marked crosswalk. Dobbins was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she later died. A source says that the incident was an accident, and that Smith was not under the influence or distracted by his phone. 'The preliminary contributing factor for this crash appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian,' the release said. 'He showed no signs of impairment.' The investigation is ongoing and, at this time, there are no charges against Smith, according to police. Sources on the scene claim law enforcement released Smith right away as there were no signs of impairment. In a statement to People Magazine, Smith's attorney confirmed the country singer was 'involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life.' 'His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time,' the statement said. 'Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.' The accident took place on the last day of the annual CMA Fest, a four-day festival in Nashville that brings country music's biggest stars together for special concerts, collaborations and events. During the fest on Sunday, Smith performed with close friend Dylan Marlowe. The day before, he stopped by Lainey Wilson's Bell Bottoms Up in Nashville to perform at Big Machine Label Group's CMA Fest event. Smith is signed to Big Machine Records' Valory label, and released his debut album Smoky Mountains last year. He's opened for Luke Bryan on tour, and was nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the 2024 ACM Awards. Country Star Allegedly Kills Woman In Car Accident first appeared on Parade on Jun 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
