Boston Globe: As Marc Laredo leaves to become mayor of Newton, law firm changes name

As published in the Boston Globe on December 17th:

The new year will mean a new mayor in Newton — and a new name for the law firm he used to lead.

As Marc Laredo prepares to be sworn in as mayor on Jan. 1, taking over for Ruthanne Fuller, he’s also wrapping up matters at the Boston firm he cofounded in 1996, now called Laredo, Smith & Kane. Within a few weeks, his name comes off the sign. So it will just be Smith Kane as Laredo ends his equity investment in the firm to focus on his new City Hall job.

Laredo was already starting to step back. A year ago, Matthew Kane took over for Laredo as the 10-person litigation firm’s managing partner, and Kane’s name was added to the firm’s name. That name change happened with little fanfare — the firm’s website still makes it seem as if the business is called Laredo & Smith — but there will be a bigger push to promote the latest iteration. (Partner Mark Smith, who joined about 25 years ago, will remain on board.)

Laredo says he’ll miss working with his clients. But the longtime city councilor will now need to spend more time on solving school budget issues, making sure the parks stay green and the trash gets picked upon time, and dealing with other headaches of municipal government.

“I decided to run for mayor over 18 months ago,” Laredo said. “Early on, we decided this would be a really good time to think about the firm’s future. It’s very important to me that a place I helped build thrives going forward [and] we transition to the next generation, whether I won or lost the election.”

What happens when HR execs violate their own policies?

Darshana Indira authored an article, “What Happens When HR Execs Violate Their Own Policies,” for HR Executive. In the article, Darshana discusses how recent headlines involving HR executives and workplace misconduct highlight a critical issue for employers: the heightened legal exposure and credibility concerns that arise when compliance leaders violate the policies they enforce. The article examines why consistent enforcement matters, how to conduct impartial investigations when leadership is involved, and the reputational consequences of failing to hold HR leaders accountable.

Brendan Cox Quoted in Article Published in the Concord Bridge

Brendan Cox was quoted in the recent article published in the Concord Bridge, “Free Speech, or Viable Threat.” The article examines a legal case in Concord involving an individual who was arrested for allegedly violating a harassment prevention order by placing “scarecrow” displays targeting the School’s Superintendent.

Cox, an experienced criminal defense lawyer, discusses two points regarding the case. First, that prosecutors must prove this individual physically placed the signs. He noted, “Fingerprints are not infallible,” suggesting this evidence alone may not be sufficient for conviction. Second, he also argued that the alleged targeted individual’s status as a public official “should factor into the analysis” because it changes “the degree of privacy the person is entitled to and the degree of public discourse that they can expect to be subjected to.”

Brendan Cox Quoted in Law360 Article Analyzing Precedent-Setting Immigration Bail Case

Partner Brendan Cox provided comments in a Law360 article, “Deportation Before Due Process? Mass. Justices to Decide” regarding a precedent-setting case before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, involving state bail decisions and federal immigration enforcement. In Commonwealth v. Alvarez, (a case in which he is not involved), the state’s highest court is considering whether judges can intentionally set higher bail amounts to keep defendants in state custody and prevent deportation during criminal proceedings.

Brendan Cox explained that Massachusetts bail statute language supports judicial discretion in considering deportation status, noting that the standard bail form includes a “further explanation” category that “contemplates the possibility that other factors are able to be considered.” He emphasized that this approach is “consistent with the idea that a judge determining bail is well within their discretion to consider the totality of the circumstances.”

The case involves a Haitian immigrant facing sexual assault charges who paradoxically prefers deportation over remaining in state custody on significantly increased bail. Cox predicts that the justices will likely find the lower court judge acted within proper discretion, explaining that while the statute enumerates specific bail factors, these appear to be “intended to be exemplars” rather than exclusive limitations, with the “overall concept” being whether “the person going to show up.”

 

Laredo, Smith & Kane Elevates Two Attorneys

Laredo, Smith & Kane announces the elevation of Brendan S. Cox to Partner and Darshana Indira to Senior Counsel, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

“Congratulations to Brendan and Darshana,” said Matthew A. Kane, Managing Partner, Laredo, Smith & Kane. “Brendan is an exceptional litigator and criminal defense attorney, and Darshana is a talented employment and business lawyer. These well-deserved elevations reflect their hard work, dedication, and the trust they’ve earned from both clients and colleagues. We look forward to celebrating their continued achievements in the new roles.”

Cox is an experienced litigator and criminal defense attorney. A versatile advocate, he counsels businesses and individuals to build strong cases that provide maximum protection and minimize serious risks. He has extensive experience managing trial court matters for complex civil and criminal cases, as well as advising companies of all sizes on business litigation matters. Cox’s criminal defense experience includes litigating all aspects of the criminal process, from probable cause hearings and arraignments through complex evidentiary motions and trial. He represents clients on a wide range of matters, including minor misdemeanors through serious, life-changing felonies. In addition to managing a full caseload of trial court matters, Cox also serves as a business advisor to companies on a range of matters such as employment agreements, business law, contracts, and intellectual property concerns.

As an accomplished employment and business lawyer, Indira advises company owners, organizational leaders, and C-suite executives across a broad spectrum of employment and commercial litigation matters. With a deep understanding of various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, healthcare, and retail, her expertise spans both transactional and litigation work. In her employment practice, Indira provides strategic counsel to businesses on the complexities of employer-employee relationships. She assists management and senior executives in navigating executive compensation, employment agreements, non-compete clauses, and severance negotiations.

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.

Darshana Indira Featured in DEI Spotlight

The Massachusetts Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee highlights diverse attorneys within the legal community to recognize achievements and contributions. In honor of Diwali, a Hindu festival and national holiday across India, the DEIC proudly highlighted our very own, Darshana Indira!

To Infinity and Beyond: When a Business Contract is Incomplete

Parties who decide to do business with each other must be very careful to ensure that the agreement between them contains all the important terms, especially the duration of the contract over which the parties expect to be in business with each other. A recent case from the Massachusetts Appeals Court confirms that in situations where a contract does not have an express duration term, the parties’ intent and circumstances dictate the reasonable duration of the contract, and one party cannot terminate the contract at-will.

Fall 2024 Newsletter

Matt Kane Featured in BBA’s “Meet the New Managing Partner” Spotlight Series

The Boston Bar Association caught up with Matt Kane to talk about his new role as incoming Managing Partner at Laredo, Smith & Kane.  They talked about his new role, advice to new lawyers in Boston and more.

BBA’s Meet the New Managing Partner – Laredo, Smith, & Kane’s Matt Kane – Boston Bar Association

“Mayoral Bid Triggers Transition in Boston Firm’s Leadership,” by Mass Lawyers Weekly

Laredo, Smith & Kane was featured in a recent Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article entitled, “Mayoral Bid Triggers Transition in Boston Firm’s Leadership.”  As Marc Laredo pursues a mayoral run in Newton, partners Matt Kane and Payal Salsburg step into leadership positions at the thriving law firm. Matt Kane will serve as the firm’s new Managing Partner beginning in January 2025.

Read the entire article to learn more about the firm’s well-thought out succession plan.

 

 

Laredo, Smith & Kane Attorneys Contribute to MCLE Book, Massachusetts Evidence: A Courtroom Reference

Laredo, Smith & Kane attorneys Matthew A. Kane and Payal Salsburg contributed as authors to the recently published Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) book, Massachusetts Evidence: A Courtroom Reference. The book was designed to be a comprehensive guide covering the admissibility of evidence for lawyers at every stage of their careers.

Chapter 9, Documentary Evidence, written by Kane and Salsburg, addresses issues that relate to the introduction of documentary evidence, including:

  • Authentication
  • The best evidence rule
  • Introducing documents into evidence
  • The hearsay rule as applied to various types of documentary evidence

Kane is a current member of the firm’s management team, and the incoming managing partner effective Jan. 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.

As a business and litigation attorney and member of Laredo, Smith & Kane’s management team, Salsburg 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 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.