Press Release: Two Bowditch Attorneys Named Legal Luminaries by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

November 2, 2026

Boston and Worcester, MA – November 2, 2026 – John Shoro, Managing Partner at Bowditch, and Joshua Lee Smith, Partner at Bowditch, were recently named “Legal Luminaries” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, an award that celebrates exceptional legal professionals whose leadership, dedication, and achievements help shape the legal community across Central Massachusetts.

“Congratulations to both John and Josh on this well-deserved recognition from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly,” said Tina Bussone, Chief Operating Officer at Bowditch. “Their inclusion on such a prestigious list shows the important role that Bowditch is playing in the Central Massachusetts community. Even more so, it represents the dedication and commitment they both bring to their clients and community every single day.”

Shoro, who has been at Bowditch for nearly 40 years, has served as the firm’s Managing Partner for almost 5 years. He also serves as the firm’s Estate, Financial, and Tax Planning Practice Area Leader, and is a highly respected trust, estate, and tax lawyer, helping clients in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Florida with their sophisticated tax, administration, and planning needs. He serves many of his trust and estate clients as a Personal Representative and trustee, frequently interacting one-on-one with beneficiaries, drafting documents, and handling investments and complex tax issues. His clients include business owners, professionals, executives, and other high-net-worth individuals.

“I feel privileged to be named to the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Legal Luminaries list,” said Shoro. “I have worked with clients across Central Massachusetts for the nearly 40 years I have been at Bowditch, and I can attest that this firm truly has a team of experts who understand the unique needs of our clients in the region and how to best serve them. I am grateful to work with such a talented team, and I look forward to continuing this legacy of success in the future.”

Smith joined Bowditch in 2005, and is a highly respected land use and real estate lawyer who focuses on complex commercial real estate matters involving permitting, acquisitions, leasing, environmental compliance, and financing. Over the past 21 years, Smith has helped clients develop properties in numerous communities throughout the Commonwealth and has been involved in many of the most high-profile economic development projects in Central Massachusetts.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition alongside some of the region’s most talented and trusted attorneys across practice areas,” said Smith. “I can say with confidence that Bowditch has played a vital role in supporting public welfare, economic development, clean energy goals, and more across Central Massachusetts and beyond. I feel proud to see the direct, positive impact of Bowditch’s work in this community.”

Shoro is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Council and an NAEPC-Accredited Estate Planner. He is currently serving as a Trustee of Old Sturbridge Village and as a corporator and member of the Investment and Scholarship Committees of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. He is an active member of the Boston, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, and Worcester County bar associations, as well as the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts.

He was also recognized by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a “Go To Taxation Lawyer” and “Top Managing Partner,” and has earned multiple Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year” honors in Trusts and Estates and Tax Law, alongside consistent multi-year rankings in Elder Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates.

Smith serves on the boards of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Worcester Business Development Corporation, and Worcester Regional Research Bureau. He was previously named to the inaugural Worcester Business Journal Power 100 list for two years in a row, as well as being named a “Go To Lawyer” for Commercial Real Estate by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

Both Shoro and Smith will be honored at the Legal Luminaries celebration on December 8 at the Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston, MA.

ABOUT BOWDITCH & DEWEY LLP

Bowditch is a highly regarded law firm handling sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory issues for businesses, families, and institutions throughout Massachusetts, the region and beyond.

With more than 60 lawyers seamlessly connected in four strategic Massachusetts offices – Boston, Plymouth, Southborough and Worcester – Bowditch is deep in the areas of business and finance, real estate and environmental, litigation, employment, higher education, family law, and estate and tax planning, delivering outstanding client satisfaction and quality legal services.