Since his admission to the New York bar in 1978, Mr. Laird has concentrated his practice on the defense of product liability, toxic tort, medical malpractice and construction-related claims. He defends various product manufacturers in cases involving aircraft, occupational protective equipment, construction machinery and adhesives, gas equipment and electric appliances. Mr. Laird has successfully defended lawsuits on behalf of physicians and hospitals in various specialties including obstetrics, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, otolaryngology and critical care.

Mr. Laird is the past President of the Defense Research Institute of Northeastern New York and the Trial Lawyers Association and serves on the Board of Directors. He has served as a Master in the Albany Law School chapter of the American Inns of Court. Over the years, he has been appointed as an arbitrator in various contract, construction, professional liability and personal injury matters. Mr. Laird is also a member of the Albany County, New York State and American Bar Associations and the Defense Research Institute, and he has lectured on trial practice and product liability topics for student, bar and manufacturer groups. He is listed in Who's Who in American Law. Mr. Laird is a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department.

He is a cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego and earned his J.D. at Western New England College School of Law. Mr. Laird is admitted to the bars of New York State (1978), U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York (1978), U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (1989), U.S. District Court, District of Vermont (1995), U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit (1985) and U.S. Supreme Court (1986).