Laredo & Smith, LLP is pleased to be named a regional Tier 2 firm in Massachusetts for Commercial Litigation by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2021.
Firms included in the 2021 Edition of “Best Law Firms” are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.
Payal Salsburg is a 2021-2022 elected member of the Women’s Bar Association‘s Board of Directors. Payal joins this impressive team of women lawyers in an At-Large Director position. This leadership team drives the WBA’s mission to bring together the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ‘ women lawyers so that they may build important personal and professional relationships. The WBA’s membership represents women across a full range of practice areas from law firms, as solo practitioners and also in-house counsel positions across the state. The WBA proudly provides excellent leadership opportunities, a networking forum for business development, continuing education at all levels and more.
Brendan Cox, Of Counsel with Laredo & Smith, was elected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the South Boston Neighborhood House. Established over 115 years ago, the organization is the oldest continuously-operated community based non-profit in South Boston. The Mission of the South Boston Neighborhood House (The Ollie) is “to support family and neighborhood life in South Boston,” meeting the needs of the local community through programs for all ages from infants through to senior citizens. Together, the members of this organization help families experiencing social and economic stress, serving as an important safety net for the community’s most vulnerable residents. South Boston Neighborhood House is seen as a safe haven for residents of all ages where social interaction and learning opportunities are abundant. They also promote, encourage and develop health and wellness as well as independent living. Brendan proudly lends a helping hand to guide and direct the organization so that it may support as many members as possible through a wide range of support activities. Previous to his election to the Board of Directors, Brendan served as a member of the group’s Board of Advisors.
When firm partner Payal Salsburg isn’t working on client matters, she is still helping Massachusetts residents. Payal is not a stranger to volunteer work and this time she is helping people struggling to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations. She began working with the newly formed group Massachusetts COVID Vaccination Help just a couple days ago, but has already made a tremendous impact for senior citizens and other residents struggling to access and navigate the state’s process for obtaining vaccinations. NBC10 featured the groups’ work, highlighting Payal’s tireless effort to help those who need it most.
Marc Laredo is the co-chair of a timely Boston Bar Association program entitled, “Law Firm Reopening Plans and the Impact of COVID-19 on the Future of Work.” The conversation is being held in a roundtable style on February 24th at 4pm. Marc will help facilitate an important discussion on the immediate concerns and considerations firm leaders face regarding law firm reopening in the era of COVID-19. The group will include conversation about the longer term impacts of the pandemic related to the future of the legal profession. The panelists will also share the results of a recent survey sent to regional managing partners about the reopening plans for their firms as well as the best practices related to back-to-the-office concerns and COVID vaccination requirements. Finally, the group will discuss the ethical challenges presented to firm leadership during these difficult times.
Payal Salsburg presents a Boston Bar Association webinar on Friday, February 19th entitled, “Do’s and Don’ts of Depositions.” Payal and her co-presenter, Scott McConchie, will discuss taking and defending depositions, sharing valuable insight into preparing for depositions, effectively questioning deponents and objecting while defending a deposition. Panelists will provide time for Q&A. The program is sponsored by the New Lawyers Forum and the Business & Commercial Litigation sections of the Boston Bar Association.
Jessica Conklin, Senior Counsel at Laredo & Smith, moderates a conversation entitled, “Related Aspects of Prepping Trials in the Remote World” for the 2021 White Collar Crime Conference to be held virtually on February 4th 2021 by the Boston Bar Association. Partner Payal Salsburg will present as a speaker alongside Kathleen Shields, Senior Trial Counsel for the SEC and Elysa Wan, the Assistant US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. The panelists will talk about depositions, proffers and hearings in a virtual world. They will also cover everything from client preparation and building trust to tools attorneys may use for the most effective virtual presentations.
This program will be available on-demand during and after the virtual conference, and can be accessed after registering for the overall conference.
Jessica Conklin was appointed to the Boston Bar Association’s Steering Committee for its annual White Collar Crime Conference. This conference is known for it’s top level speakers who are knowledgable practitioners and collaborators in this unique area of law. Annually, it draws members of the white-collar defense bar, government prosecutors, in-house counsel, judges and corporate professionals. These professionals come together for the most up-to-date guidance, education and analysis of recent cases and best practices.
This year’s conference is fully virtual, but promises to have many interactive opportunities to learn, connect and discuss. Also, attendees may watch on-demand sessions safely from a home office. For more information on the agenda and how to register, please visit the conference website.
Payal Salsburg co-presents a webinar for the Boston Bar Association entitled, “Ethical Dilemmas and Considerations in Representing Impaired Clients.“ This program takes place on January 13, 2021 and is the first in a 3-part series focusing on an attorney’s legal and ethical duties when facing the prospect of representing a mentally impaired client.
According to a leading mental health organization, 1 in 5 adults in the United States suffers from some form of mental health condition or disorder. Over the course of an attorney’s career, there is a good chance that representing someone who suffers from some degree of mental incapacity. Knowing how to assess capacity and deciding how to proceed if you have doubts about a client’s mental health is easier said than done.
For more information on this program, please reach out to Payal Salsburg directly.
Payal Salsburg moderated a Women’s Bar Association panel entitled, “Best Practices for Conducting A Zoom Trial.” She was joined by four distinguished panelists: Hon. Elaine M. Buckley and Hon. Valerie A. Yarashus, both of the Massachusetts Superior Court as well as Kristyn Kelley of Peabody & Arnold and Holly Hinte of Lee & Rivers. Together, they discussed the best ways to have a successful trial using remote resources. The program was sponsored by the WBA’s Women in the Courtroom Committee and took place on December 16, 2020.
Laredo & Smith offers clients big-firm expertise with the client-centered, cost-effective strategy that only a small firm can offer.
