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.