Smith Kane’s Payal Salsburg Moderates BBA Webinar, “From Practice to Politics: Candid Stories from Women Who’ve Done It”

Smith Kane, LLP announces that Partner Payal Salsburg served as a moderator on the Boston Bar Association’s (BBA) webinar, “From Practice to Politics: Candid Stories from Women Who’ve Done It,” January 27.

The panel hosted candid conversations with women of color who began their careers as attorneys, entered the political arena, and then returned to legal practice. Panelists shared their personal journeys, what motivated them to pursue public office or political roles, the challenges and opportunities they encountered, and how legal training prepared them for leadership beyond the courtroom. Led by Salsburg, the discussion also explored concrete ways attorneys can support and uplift colleagues who pursue political ambitions, such as running for office, serving in government, or engaging in advocacy.

Salsburg is a member of Smith Kane’s management team. As a business and litigation attorney, she focuses her practice in the areas of business litigation, corporate advice and counsel, and white-collar criminal defense. She represents corporations, small businesses, and individuals in contract and business disputes, False Claims Act matters, State Ethics Commission inquiries, and government and internal investigations. Salsburg also advises closely held businesses on corporate and employment matters. Prior to joining Smith Kane, Salsburg was a litigator at a large international law firm, in its Florida and Boston offices. She is a sought-after speaker on many topics, including business litigation, ethics, and lawyer well-being. Salsburg is recognized for her deep commitment to volunteerism in the community. Her pro bono experience includes several successful CORI-sealing petitions, petitions for asylum, an appeal from an inmate on Florida’s death row, litigation and appeal to assist a not-for-profit foundation, and invoking Hague Convention protection to return a child wrongfully removed to the United States by a parent. She was also a bar advocate for criminal matters at the district court level.

About Smith Kane, LLP

For nearly 30 years, Smith Kane, LLP has helped clients grow their businesses and resolve legal matters–offering clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered strategy that only a small firm can provide. The firm’s attorneys successfully combine a strategic approach to running a business with thoughtful, thorough, and protective legal representation. The firm represents clients in matters related to business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and employment law.

Smith Kane Attorneys Serve as Faculty for MCLE’s 11th Annual Appellate Practice Conference

Smith Kane, LLP managing partner Matthew A. Kane and partner Payal Salsburg served as faculty for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education’s (MCLE) 11th Annual Appellate Practice Conference on December 11. Kane covered new developments in civil law practice. Salsburg was conference co-chair and moderated a panel of the newest judges of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, including Assoc. Justice Jennifer Allen, Assoc. Justice Gloria Tan, and Assoc. Justice Chauncey Wood. They discussed good appellate briefs and oral arguments, as well as their experiences as the newest appeals court justices.

A premier yearly event for appellate practitioners, the conference featured a full-day, concentrated focus on the appellate process. This year, the conference covered important key changes happening in appellate practice, including developments in criminal law and civil law, new judges, new clerk of court, and more. Each topic was timely and geared toward helping attorneys become better appellate litigators.

The recorded conference was rebroadcast from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on December 29 and January 6, 2026.

Kane is a member of Laredo, Smith & Kane’s management team, and has been serving as the incoming managing partner since January 1, 2025. As a business litigation attorney, he focuses on business and commercial law. Representing banks, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals, Kane is a key member of the firm’s business litigation practice. He is known for his extensive experience in consumer finance, employment, construction, real estate, and general litigation. He is also particularly skilled in appellate advocacy, having successfully argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

Salsburg is also a member of the firm’s management team. As a business and litigation attorney, she focuses her practice in the areas of business litigation, corporate advice and counsel, and white-collar criminal defense. She represents corporations, small businesses, and individuals in contract and business disputes, False Claims Act matters, State Ethics Commission inquiries, and government and internal investigations. Salsburg also advises closely held businesses on corporate and employment matters.

MCLE is a non-profit corporation that aims to raise the caliber of lawyers’ professional and ethical service to their clients and communities by providing comprehensive and practical continuing legal education of the highest quality to the broadest possible audience.

About Smith Kane, LLP

For nearly 30 years, Smith Kane, LLP has helped clients grow their businesses and resolve legal matters–offering clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered strategy that only a small firm can provide. The firm’s attorneys successfully combine a strategic approach to running a business with thoughtful, thorough, and protective legal representation. The firm represents clients in matters related to business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and employment law.

Laredo, Smith & Kane Rebrands as Smith Kane Following Co-Founder’s Election as Mayor of Newton

Laredo, Smith & Kane has rebranded to Smith Kane, LLP, reflecting the next chapter in the firm’s nearly 30-year history. The change follows the election of Marc C. Laredo, the firm’s co-founder and former managing partner, as Mayor of the City of Newton, Massachusetts. Laredo will step down from the firm on January 1, 2026, to assume his new role in public service.

This rebranding underscores the firm’s stability and strength under the leadership of Managing Partner Matthew A. Kane and Partner Payal Salsburg, who together have guided the firm’s strategic direction and client service since January 2025.

“Marc’s election is an exciting milestone and a proud moment for our firm,” said Kane. “His commitment to leadership and community mirrors the values that have defined this firm since its founding. As we move forward as Smith Kane, our focus remains on providing clients with the highest level of strategic, responsive, and results-driven legal counsel.”

Founded in 1996, the firm has earned a reputation for combining large-firm sophistication with personalized, pragmatic legal advice. As Smith Kane, the firm will continue its long history of representing businesses, financial institutions, and individuals across a range of practice areas, including business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and employment law.

“The transition to Smith Kane reflects both continuity and confidence in our future,” said Salsburg. “We have an exceptional team of lawyers and loyal clients who have been with us through decades of growth and change. We’re proud to carry forward the culture of excellence that Marc helped establish.”

Laredo, who co-founded the firm in Boston’s Financial District, has served the City of Newton for more than two decades, including 14 years on the Newton City Council and eight years on the Newton School Committee. He is currently the City Council President and formerly served as the chair of the School Committee. His election as mayor is the culmination of years of civic engagement rooted in consensus-building and service, principles that have also shaped the firm’s collaborative approach to client representation.

“It’s been an honor to help build this firm from the ground up,” said Laredo. “Matt, Payal, and our entire team have positioned Smith Kane for continued success. I’m deeply grateful to our clients and colleagues who have made this journey possible.”

Smith Kane’s rebrand includes a new visual identity and website, which will debut later this year. The firm will continue to operate from its Boston office, maintaining its commitment to exceptional client service and community involvement.

About Smith Kane, LLP

For nearly 30 years, Smith Kane, LLP has helped clients grow their businesses and resolve legal matters–offering clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered strategy that only a small firm can provide. The firm’s attorneys successfully combine a strategic approach to running a business with thoughtful, thorough, and protective legal representation. The firm represents clients in matters related to business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and employment law.

Payal Salsburg Moderated MCLE 11th Annual Appellate Practice Conference Panel of Judges

Payal Salsburg co-chaired the 11th annual MCLE Appellate Practice Conference in December.

A premier yearly event for appellate practitioners, the conference featured a full-day, concentrated focus on the appellate process. This year, the conference covered exciting changes happening in appellate practice, including developments in criminal law and civil law, new judges, new clerk of court, and more. Each topic was timely and geared toward helping attorneys become better appellate litigators.

As part of the programming, Payal moderated a panel of the newest judges of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, including Assoc. Justice Jennifer Allen, Assoc. Justice Gloria Tan, and Assoc. Justice Chauncey Wood. The justices provided feedback on good appellate briefs and oral arguments, as well as their experiences as the newest justices on the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

Five Laredo, Smith & Kane Attorneys Recognized by Boston Magazine as 2025 “Top Lawyers”

Laredo, Smith & Kane announces that five of its attorneys were selected by Boston Magazine for inclusion on the 2025 Top Lawyers list. The exclusive list honors the best attorneys in the region, from corporate to family law.

The five Laredo, Smith & Kane attorneys named to the list include:

Boston Magazine’s annual Top Lawyers list is compiled through peer nominations. Attorneys are invited to nominate up to three of their peers in a select number of law specialties. Top vote-getters in each specialty are reviewed by an advisory board of select lawyers, chosen for their credentials and the high number of votes they received.

About Laredo, Smith & Kane, LLP

For nearly 30 years, Laredo, Smith & Kane has helped clients grow their businesses and resolve legal matters–offering clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered strategy that only a small firm can provide.  The firm’s attorneys successfully combine a strategic approach to running a business with thoughtful, thorough, and protective legal representation. The firm represents clients in matters related to business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and employment law.

Seven Laredo, Smith & Kane Attorneys Recognized in the 2025 Edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers

Laredo, Smith & Kane announces that seven of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers, with six included on the Super Lawyers list and one on the Rising Stars list. With these rankings, nearly all of the attorneys at the firm were recognized on the 2025 list.

The Laredo, Smith & Kane attorneys on the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list and their corresponding category/practice area are:

Senior counsel Darshana Indira was recognized as a Massachusetts Rising Star in Employment & Labor.

In addition, Laredo, Smith & Kane is one of only a few Boston law firms of similar size to have three partners – Kane, Laredo, and Salsburg – named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 list. Salsburg was also included on the Top 50 Women list, recognizing Massachusetts’ top 50 women attorneys.

Super Lawyers is a research-driven, peer-influenced rating service of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The mission of Super Lawyers is to bring visibility to those attorneys who exhibit excellence in practice.

About Laredo, Smith & Kane, LLP

For nearly 30 years, Laredo, Smith & Kane has helped clients grow their businesses and resolve legal matters–offering clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered strategy that only a small firm can provide.  The firm’s attorneys successfully combine a strategic approach to running a business with thoughtful, thorough, and protective legal representation. The firm represents clients in matters related to business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, employment law, and school disciplinary and Title IX matters.

Laredo, Smith & Kane’s Payal Salsburg Inducted into Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 Top Women of Law: Circle of Excellence

Laredo, Smith & Kane announces that Partner Payal Salsburg will be inducted into the 2025 Top Women of Law: Circle of Excellence by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Salsburg, a 2020 Top Women of Law honoree, is one of only five attorneys named to this year’s Circle of Excellence, which recognizes past awardees whose continuing achievements merit additional tribute. The annual Top Women of Law celebrates the achievements of exceptional women lawyers who are pioneers, educators, trailblazers, and role models. Salsburg and fellow honorees will be recognized at the awards ceremony on November 18 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. The full list of honorees can be found here.

Salsburg is a member of the firm’s management team. As a business and litigation attorney, she focuses her practice in the areas of business litigation, corporate advice and counsel, and white-collar criminal defense. She represents corporations, small businesses, and individuals in contract and business disputes, False Claims Act matters, State Ethics Commission inquiries, and government and internal investigations. Salsburg also advises closely held businesses on corporate and employment matters. Prior to joining Laredo, Smith & Kane, Salsburg was a litigator at a large international law firm, in its Florida and Boston offices. She is a sought-after speaker on many topics, including commercial litigation, ethics, and lawyer well-being. Salsburg is recognized for her deep commitment to volunteerism in the community. Her pro bono experience includes several successful CORI-sealing petitions, petitions for asylum, an appeal from an inmate on Florida’s death row, litigation, and appeal to assist a not-for-profit foundation, and invoking Hague Convention protection to return a child wrongfully removed to the United States by a parent. She was also a bar advocate for criminal matters at the Boston Municipal Court.

Founded in 1972, the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly newspaper reports decisions issued by all the state and federal courts in Massachusetts, as well as changes to court rules, verdict and settlement reports, bar-discipline notices, and all other news vital to attorneys in the commonwealth.

About Laredo, Smith & Kane, LLP

For nearly 30 years, Laredo, Smith & Kane has helped clients grow their businesses and resolve legal matters–offering clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered strategy that only a small firm can provide.  The firm’s attorneys successfully combine a strategic approach to running a business with thoughtful, thorough, and protective legal representation. The firm represents clients in matters related to business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, employment law, and school disciplinary and Title IX matters.

Six Laredo, Smith & Kane Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® 2026

Laredo, Smith & Kane announces that six of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 edition. Published by Woodward/White, Inc., Best Lawyers is considered by many to be the oldest and most respected peer-reviewed publication in the legal profession.

The six Laredo, Smith & Kane attorneys listed in Best Lawyers are:

Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America is based on an extensive peer-review process designed to capture the aggregate opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical and legal practice area. Best Lawyers has been published since 1983 and highlights the top 5% of practicing attorneys in each practice area. Its 2026 selections will be featured in the 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

About Laredo, Smith & Kane, LLP

For nearly 30 years, Laredo, Smith & Kane has helped clients grow their businesses and resolve legal matters–offering clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered strategy that only a small firm can provide.  The firm’s attorneys successfully combine a strategic approach to running a business with thoughtful, thorough, and protective legal representation. The firm represents clients in matters related to business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, employment law, and school disciplinary and Title IX matters.

Laredo, Smith & Kane’s Payal Salsburg Appointed to the Massachusetts Judicial Nominating Commission

Laredo, Smith & Kane announces that Partner Payal Salsburg has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve on the Massachusetts Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). The JNC plays a vital role in advising the Governor on the nomination and appointment of judges and judicial officers. Salsburg was sworn in for her one-year term on July 18, 2025.

In a press release announcing the JNC’s new leadership, Governor Healey said, “The JNC does incredibly important work to identify the very best candidates to become judges who will uphold justice and the rule of law.”

“Payal has been a tireless force for good in our legal community for a long time,” said Matthew A. Kane, Managing Partner at Laredo, Smith & Kane. “She is a natural fit for the JNC, and all of us will benefit from her presence there.”

Salsburg is a member of the firm’s management team. As a business and litigation attorney, she focuses her practice in the areas of business litigation, corporate advice and counsel, and white-collar criminal defense. She represents corporations, small businesses, and individuals in contract and business disputes, False Claims Act matters, State Ethics Commission inquiries, and government and internal investigations. Salsburg also advises closely held businesses on corporate and employment matters. Prior to joining Laredo, Smith & Kane, Salsburg was a litigator at a large international law firm, in its Florida and Boston offices. She is a sought-after speaker on many topics, including commercial litigation, ethics, and lawyer well-being. Salsburg is recognized for her deep commitment to volunteerism in the community. Her pro bono experience includes several successful CORI-sealing petitions, petitions for asylum, an appeal from an inmate on Florida’s death row, litigation, and appeal to assist a not-for-profit foundation, and invoking Hague Convention protection to return a child wrongfully removed to the United States by a parent. She was also a bar advocate for criminal matters at the Boston Municipal Court.

“Thank you to Governor Healey for giving me this opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in this important role. I’m grateful to contribute to the selection of judges and judicial officers who will shape the future of law in our state,” said Salsburg. “I will help ensure that our judicial system reflects the highest standards of fairness, integrity, and justice.”

The JNC is a non-partisan, non-political, and non-compensated Commission composed of 27 distinguished volunteers appointed by the Governor from a cross-section of the state’s diverse population. They screen judicial candidates and make recommendations to the Governor. Since Governor Healey took office, the work of the JNC has resulted in the nomination of 72 highly qualified judges and four Clerk Magistrates.

About Laredo, Smith & Kane, LLP

For nearly 30 years, Laredo, Smith & Kane has helped clients grow their businesses and resolve legal matters–offering clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered strategy that only a small firm can provide.  The firm’s attorneys successfully combine a strategic approach to running a business with thoughtful, thorough, and protective legal representation. The firm represents clients in matters related to business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, employment law, and school disciplinary and Title IX matters.

Payal Salsburg Quoted by MassLive on Karen Read Case

Described as nothing short of a massive victory, Karen Read was acquitted of the three most serious charges she faced: second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death.

MassLive.com quoted Payal Salsburg in recent coverage of the verdict:

“Payal Salsburg, a partner at the firm Laredo, Smith {& Kane}, called the retrial “the most expensive, longest battled jury trial on an OUI case.”

Click here to read the full coverage: Payal Salsburg Quoted By Massive.com