Lawdragon Honors Two Smith Kane Partners in 2027’s Top 500 Litigators

Boston law firm Smith Kane announces that Matthew A. Kane and Payal Salsburg were named to the list of the 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, which recognizes accomplished trial lawyers from across the nation. With two of the firm’s four partners earning a place on the list, the recognition reflects the depth of Smith Kane’s litigation practice and the caliber of its attorneys.

Each year, Lawdragon identifies litigators who have distinguished themselves through courtroom leadership, significant matters and contributions to the practice of law. The 2027 Lawdragon 500 honorees were selected based on submissions, journalistic research of the lawyers behind the biggest cases, and editorial vetting from a board of peers. The publisher describes this year’s honorees as “the brilliant lawyers who bring justice to life” and “excel at the art of advocacy before juries, judges and other decision makers on behalf of their clients.”

The Lawdragon recognition is the latest in a series of honors for Smith Kane and its attorneys. The firm was named a 2026 Best Legacy Law Firm by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, a distinction that recognizes Massachusetts-founded law firms with a proven record of success, longevity, workplace excellence, and community engagement. In addition, several attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 edition. Also, Partner Mark D. Smith was inducted into the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 2026 Hall of Fame, and he received the 2026 New England Legal Awards (NELA) Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes attorneys who have left a lasting imprint on the legal community in New England.

About Smith Kane, LLP

Celebrating 30 years, Smith Kane, LLP has built a reputation for helping clients grow their businesses, manage risk, and resolve complex legal matters. Founded in 1996, the firm offers big-firm expertise paired with the strategic, responsive, and client-focused approach of a boutique practice. Smith Kane represents clients in matters involving business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, and government investigations from its Boston office.

Four Smith Kane Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® 2027

Smith Kane announces that four of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 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 Smith Kane attorneys listed in Best Lawyers are:

  • Matthew A. Kane: Litigation; Labor & Employment
  • Payal Salsburg: Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense, White-Collar
  • Mark D. Smith: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense, White-Collar

Additionally, Smith Kane Associate Melissa King was named to the Ones to Watch® list in the Commercial Litigation practice area.

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 2027 selections will be featured in the 33rd edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

About Smith Kane, LLP

Celebrating 30 years, Smith Kane, LLP has built a reputation for helping clients grow their businesses, manage risk, and resolve complex legal matters. Founded in 1996, the firm offers big-firm expertise paired with the strategic, responsive, and client-focused approach of a boutique practice. Smith Kane represents clients in matters involving business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, and government investigations from its Boston office.

Matthew Kane Featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Article on Recent Auto Industry Sales Call Case

Matt Kane was featured in a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article about a court case involving a Toyota dealership and unwanted sales calls.

In a recent case, a customer sued a Toyota dealership claiming it kept calling her after she’d asked to be left alone, despite her number being on the national do-not-call list. The dealership argued the case should go to arbitration instead of court, because the customer had agreed to sweeping click-wrap terms, including an arbitration provision, when she submitted her information to a pair of third-party car-shopping websites.

The Court enforced one arbitration agreement, but not the other. One website couldn’t produce evidence of the customer’s consent to its terms. But the other site produced a clear record showing how its web pages would have appeared to the customer, including the click-wrap terms that were a prerequisite to receiving pricing offers. Based on the latter, the Court enforced the arbitration provision.

When asked to respond to the case, Matt’s biggest takeaway came down to the evidence: “the analysis really turns on the facts… the TrueCar clickwrap stuck because they had a screenshot of what the customer would have seen when perusing the web. AutoWeb, however, did not do the same. Once that fact issue was resolved, the law was very clear.”

Ultimately, the lesson for businesses: if customers agree to terms online – whether that’s an arbitration clause, a liability waiver, or anything else – keep a record of exactly what they saw and clicked. Without it, those terms may not hold up later.

Five Smith Kane Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers

Smith Kane, LLP announces that five of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers, with four 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 this year.

The following Smith Kane attorneys were included on the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list:

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

In addition, Smith Kane is one of only a few Boston law firms of similar size to have two partners – Kane and Salsburg – named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 list. Salsburg was also included on the Top 5 Business Litigation list in Massachusetts and 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 Smith Kane, LLP

Celebrating 30 years, Smith Kane, LLP has built a reputation for helping clients grow their businesses, manage risk, and resolve complex legal matters. Founded in 1996, the firm offers big-firm expertise paired with the strategic, responsive, and client-focused approach of a boutique practice. Smith Kane represents clients in business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and employment law matters from its Boston office.

Matthew Kane Publishes Article in Mass Lawyers Weekly on Wire Fraud Loss Allocation

Matthew A. Kane authored an article titled “Wire fraud litigation: understanding the loss allocation rules for Article 4A”  for Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. In the article Matt examines the loss allocation rules governing wire transfer fraud under Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code. Drawing on his experience representing banks, Matt explains how losses from wire transfer fraud are allocated under the statutory framework and why the results often surprise the victims.

Matt shares that most wire transfer fraud does not involve sophisticated hacking. Instead, fraudsters rely on social engineering, impersonation, and forged documents to trick businesses into authorizing transfers to accounts the fraudster controls. When a business later discovers the fraud and turns to its bank for reimbursement, Article 4A determines who bears the loss, not common law concepts like negligence or causation. Under Article 4A, if the customer authorized the payment order (even if the customer was deceived into doing so), the bank generally has no obligation to refund the loss. The statutory framework was designed not to assess which party was more careful, but to establish in advance who would bear the risk.

Matt’s article also addresses the role of “commercially reasonable” security procedures, the ability of banks and customers to modify loss allocation rules by agreement, and the high burden a customer faces when attempting to shift liability back to a bank. He notes that Article 4A intentionally displaces competing legal theories when the alleged loss arises from the execution of a wire transfer.

For commercial litigators, Matt emphasizes that claims arising from induced wire transfer fraud require more than showing that the fraud was foreseeable or that the bank might have acted differently. Successful claims typically turn on whether the bank deviated from agreed security procedures or relied on procedures that were not commercially reasonable.

The full article is available to subscribers at Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

Smith Kane Celebrates 30 Years of Strategic Growth and Leadership

Smith Kane, LLP is proud to celebrate its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of effective legal counsel, courtroom excellence, and unwavering commitment to clients and community.

Founded originally as Laredo & Smith in 1996 in Boston’s Financial District, the firm was built on a clear vision: to combine large-firm sophistication with the agility, responsiveness, and client-centered approach of a boutique practice. Over the past 30 years, the firm has grown into a respected litigation and business law firm serving businesses, financial institutions, and individuals throughout Massachusetts and beyond.

This milestone comes during a defining chapter in the firm’s evolution. In 2025, the firm transitioned leadership as part of its long-term growth strategy, with Matthew A. Kane assuming the role of Managing Partner and Partner Payal Salsburg joining the management team. Later that year, following the election of co-founder Marc C. Laredo as Mayor of the City of Newton, the firm rebranded as Smith Kane, LLP, reflecting both continuity and confidence in its future.

“Reaching 30 years is a significant milestone and a testament to the trust our clients place in us every day,” said Kane. “Our success has always been rooted in proactive problem-solving and thoughtful planning — the same forward-looking guidance we provide to our clients — along with a steadfast commitment to delivering practical, results-driven legal solutions.”

Throughout its history, the firm has guided clients through high-stakes litigation, complex business disputes, white collar criminal defense matters, government investigations, and employment issues. Known for its tenacious representation and strong appellate advocacy, the firm has successfully represented clients before state and federal trial courts, as well as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court.

“Our rebrand marked the beginning of our next chapter, but our foundation remains the same,” said Salsburg. “We have an exceptional team of lawyers and staff and a culture built on integrity, collaboration, and excellence. As we celebrate 30 years, we are focused not only on where we’ve been, but on how we continue to grow and serve our clients in the decades ahead.”

Laredo, who co-founded the firm and helped guide it for nearly three decades, played a central role in establishing its reputation for thoughtful advocacy and community engagement. His election to public office reflects the leadership values that have long defined the firm’s culture.

As Smith Kane enters its next decade, the firm will continue to invest in its people, its brand, and its long-term growth. A refreshed visual identity and forward-looking business plan underscore the firm’s commitment to remaining a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex legal and business challenges.

 

About Smith Kane, LLP

Celebrating 30 years, Smith Kane, LLP has built a reputation for helping clients grow their businesses, manage risk, and resolve complex legal matters. Founded in 1996, the firm offers big-firm expertise paired with the strategic, responsive, and client-focused approach of a boutique practice. Smith Kane represents clients in business law and litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and employment law matters from its Boston office.

Smith Kane’s Matthew A. Kane and Payal Salsburg Named to The Legal 500’s Boston City Elite Rankings

Smith Kane, LLP announces that Matthew A. Kane and Payal Salsburg have been named to The Legal 500’s Boston City Elite rankings in the areas of Commercial Litigation and White Collar Crime, respectively. The Legal 500 U.S. City Elite rankings highlight leading lawyers at regional powerhouse firms who are handling work at the top of the legal market in their respective cities. The full rankings list can be viewed here.

The firm’s managing partner and a business litigation attorney, Kane focuses on business litigation in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Representing banks, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals, he is known for his extensive experience in consumer finance, real estate, employment, construction, general litigation, and appeals. Kane also advises closely held businesses on corporate and transactional matters.

Salsburg is a member of the firm’s management team. As a litigator, 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.

The Legal 500 is a comprehensive research guide that highlights the practice area teams and attorneys who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel around the world. Research is based on feedback from more than 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms, and interviews with leading private practice lawyers.

 

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.

Matt Kane Quoted in a recent Legal Management Article on Partner Transition Planning

Managing Partner, Matt Kane, was quoted in a recent article, “Critical Moves to Make When a Partner Leaves” published by the ALA’s magazine, Legal Management.

The article examines the challenges law firms face when partners depart. Matt discussed the firm’s experience managing the departure of the former Managing Partner Marc Laredo, who announced in mid-2024 he would run for mayor of Newton, Massachusetts, and leave in January 2026. Kane emphasized the importance of client communication: “It’s been a lot of communicating with clients and getting everyone prepared for the transition. He’s got a number of clients who are small businesses [and] just have periodic and sporadic needs; we made a concerted effort to reach out to them. We’ve had dozens of handoff meetings.”

Kane also talked about the benefits of preparing for this kind of departure with “a long runway” referring to updating website domains, logos, signage, letterhead, and LinkedIn profiles. He also discussed the firm’s partnership agreement: “From time to time, as equity partners have come and gone, there have been discussions, revisions and tweaks. When the partnership changes, we take an opportunity to go through the agreement and make sure everyone’s comfortable and talk about anything that might need to change.”