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.

Smith Kane Co-Founder Mark D. Smith Honored with 2026 New England Legal Awards Lifetime Achievement Award

Smith Kane, LLP announces that Partner Mark D. Smith has been named a recipient of 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. Smith was selected for his distinguished 40-year legal career and unwavering commitment to professional leadership, public service, and the advancement of justice.

In 2000, Smith co-founded Laredo, Smith & Kane, now Smith Kane, LLP, helping build the firm’s reputation in white-collar criminal defense, government investigations, and complex litigation while mentoring younger attorneys and fostering a culture grounded in integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. His practice focuses on representing businesses and individuals in criminal and government enforcement matters, as well as serving as Massachusetts counsel to national law firms. Earlier in his career, Smith served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Bureau in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, supervising more than 50 prosecutors, after five years as Chief of the Public Integrity Division, where he participated in or supervised more than 100 public corruption cases. He also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and, earlier, as a public defender in New York City. A former President of the Boston Bar Association, Smith was appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court to the Court Management Advisory Board, which he chaired in 2020.

“Mark’s impact on the legal profession extends far beyond his accomplishments as a lawyer,” said Smith Kane Managing Partner Matthew A. Kane. “His integrity, leadership, and commitment to mentoring others have made a lasting impact on our firm and the broader legal community. This award is a fitting recognition of an exceptional career.”

The honor follows Smith’s recent induction into Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Hall of Fame.

The New England Legal Awards are a distinguished celebration of professional excellence within the legal community across Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. NELA winners will be announced at an awards gala on October 8 at The Westin Copley Place. The full list of finalists and honorees is featured here.

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.

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.

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.

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

Smith & Kane LLP 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 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.

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

Smith & Kane LLP 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 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, 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:

  • Marc C. Laredo: Commercial Litigation; Employment Law, Management
  • Mark D. Smith: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense, White-Collar
  • Matthew A. Kane: Litigation, Labor & Employment
  • Payal Salsburg: Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense, White-Collar
  • Darshana Indira: Employment Law, Management; Litigation, Labor & Employment
  • William G. Cosmas, Jr.: Commercial Litigation

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.

Four Laredo, Smith & Kane Attorneys Recognized by Boston Magazine as 2024 “Top Lawyers”

Laredo, Smith & Kane announces that four of its attorneys were selected by Boston Magazine for inclusion in the 2024 Top Lawyers list. The exclusive list honors the best attorneys in the region, from corporate to family law.

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

●     Marc C. Laredo: Business Law

●     Payal Salsburg: Commercial Litigation

●     Jessica L. Conklin: Criminal Defense/White Collar

●     Darshana Indira: Labor and Employment

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, employment law, and school disciplinary and Title IX matters.

Laredo, Smith & Kane Earns Top Metropolitan and National Rankings in “Best Law Firms” 2025

Laredo, Smith & Kane received both high metropolitan and national rankings in the Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” 2025 edition. Law firms included on the “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence and consistently strong ratings from clients and peers. Below are the firm’s complete rankings.

Metropolitan Tier 1 (Boston)

  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Metropolitan Tier 2 (Boston)

  • Employment Law – Management

National Tier 3

  • Commercial Litigation

The Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are determined by an exhaustive evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking in a particular practice area and metro region, a law firm must have at least one lawyer included in Best Lawyers in that particular practice area and metro.

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.

Seven Laredo, Smith & Kane Attorneys Recognized in the 2024 Edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers

Laredo, Smith & Kane announces that seven of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers , with five included on the Super Lawyers list and two on the Rising Stars list.

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

In addition, Super Lawyers named Kane, Laredo, and Salsburg to the Top 100 list, recognizing the top 100 attorneys in Massachusetts. Further, Salsburg was included on the Top 50 women list, recognizing Massachusetts’s top 50 women attorneys.

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

  • Jessica Conklin, Criminal Defense, White Collar
  • Darshana Indira, Employment & Labor

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.