Laredo & Smith Attorneys Named to 2023 Super Lawyers List

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Laredo & Smith is pleased to announce that many of the firm’s attorneys are named to Super Lawyers for 2023, including:

  • Marc Laredo is recognized in the areas of Business Litigation and Closely Held Businesses
  • Mark Smith is recognized for White Collar Crime
  • Matt Kane is recognized for Business Litigation, Banking, and Appellate
  • Payal Salsburg is recognized for Business Litigation and White Collar Crime
  • William Cosmas is recognized for Business Litigation and General Litigation
  • Jessica Conklin is recognized as a Rising Star in White Collar Crime, Schools & Education, and Business Litigation
  • Darshana Indira is recognized as a Rising Star in Employment & Labor

Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country.

Jessica Conklin Achieves ATIXA Certification for Title IX Hearing Advisors

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Jessica Conklin completed the ATIXA certification program for Title IX Hearing Advisors. ATIXA is an independent not-for-profit corporation that serves as a professional association for school and college Title IX coordinators, investigators, and administrators that explores best practices, establishes industry standards, shares resources and advanced the worthy goal of gender equity in education.ATIXA Title IX Hearing Advisor Certification This ATIXA certification establishes the important understanding of Title IX resolution procedures.

Jessica’s experience includes establishing expectations surrounding both investigations and hearings, uncovering bias and conflict of interest concerns surrounding allegations of Title IX, as well as the full scope of cross-examinations and appropriate interactions with the hearing chair during this tenuous scenario.

Jessica Conklin Named Senior Counsel to Firm

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The firm proudly recognizes attorney Jessica Conklin‘s excellent legal work and client service through her recent elevation to Senior Counsel.  Jessica joined the firm in 2011 as an Associate and continues to develop her practice in white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and school disciplinary hearings. Jessica has a specific expertise in working with students and their families who attend several local secondary schools, colleges and universities in connection with disciplinary proceedings and title IX investigations. Partner Mark Smith says, “Jessica works seamlessly with students and their families to put them at ease while determining the best possible legal strategies to help them through stressful times.” To learn more about Jessica’s practice, leadership and experience, please read her bio.

Understanding the New Regulations Governing Title IX for Colleges and Universities

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On May 6, 2020, the United States Department of Education released new regulations governing the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational institutions. These regulations become effective on August 14, 2020. Although these regulations also govern the application of Title IX at elementary and secondary schools, this alert focuses on the impact in the college and university setting.

June 2020 Newsletter

Conklin Presents BBA Program: Representing Students in Title IX Proceedings

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Jessica Conklin presented on a panel covering the special considerations of representing complainants and respondents in sexual misconduct proceedings in high school, college and university settings. The group will cover:

  • fact gathering
  • preparing your client for an interview or hearing
  • handling a parallel criminal and civil matter
  • trauma informed advocacy
  • preserving issues for subsequent civil litigation
  • recent due process court decisions

Sponsored by the White-Collar Crime section of the BBA, this program took place on March 4th.  If you missed it and would like more information about the subject matter, please contact Jessica Conklin.

Newsletter: College Students In Trouble– What Can You Do?

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When young adults are away from home in a collegiate atmosphere, sometimes they get into trouble.  So, what is a parent to do? First, have a basic awareness of the rules that govern student conduct– rules that may have changed dramatically since our collegiate days.  Discuss them with your college-bound children. A school may impose an array of disciplinary actions up to and including expulsion, a potentially devastating, life-altering consequence for a young man or woman.  If a student is facing any kind of disciplinary charge, it is important that he or she consult with an attorney immediately– before speaking to the authorities and making potentially damaging statements with far reaching (including criminal) consequences.  Experienced counsel can guide the student through the disciplinary process, advocate to the administration on a student’s behalf, and keep an eye out for due process issues.

Newsletter_January 2016