PrintSep. 14--GEORGETOWN -- A Newburyport patent lawyer has resigned his right to practice law over accusations he billed his firm and clients more than $700,000 from a company he created himself, according to the state Board of Bar Overseers of the Supreme Judicial Court.
The Board of Bar Overseers, which has the authority to regulate and discipline lawyers, accepted the resignation of Matthew P. Vincent, a former Georgetown selectman chairman who did not run for re-election this year.
Vincent was a patent lawyer specializing in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries for Ropes and Gray Law Firm based in Boston. Vincent has his own office at 201 High St. in Newburyport.
According to the official judgment issued by the board called a Judgment Accepting Affadavit of Resignation as a Disciplinary Sanction, Vincent in 2002 started a company called The IP Resource Company that performs patent database searches. However, Vincent never informed his law partners or clients that he was the owner and operator of the company, and billed the law firm for services over a period of six years. Vincent's invoices totalled $733,771.30.
According to the report, between April of 2002 and September of 2008, Vincent prepared and submitted to Ropes and Gray 60 separate invoices from The IP Resource Company, each invoice relating to multiple patent matters.
The invoices summarized a number of research services the company performed on a total of 3,449 separate client matters.
Ropes and Gray approved each of the 60 invoices and forwarded them to the firm's accounting department.
"Relying on the respondent's approval, the respondent's firm paid the invoices and billed the appropriate clients for the service," the report stated. "The respondent either never maintained or did not retain the underlying billing records for the invoices submitted by The IP Resource Company, and he cannot satisfactorily account for costs and services rendered."
It is unclear whether any criminal charges will result.
"Vincent has resigned and our case is over," Terry Troyer of the Board of Bar Overseers said. "We have no ability or information about pending criminal charges."
The Board of Bar Overseers said Thursday Vincent's actions are in violation of a number of laws.
The board stated in the report that Vincent failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make an informed decision and entered into an improper business contract with a client, as well as a conflict of interest. The board also said Vincent's conduct adversely reflected his ability to practice law.
According to the finding, Vincent's name will be taken off the roll of attorneys and his resignation will be effective Oct. 10.
"The lawyer shall not accept any new retainer or engage as a lawyer for another in any new case or legal matter of any nature," the judgment states. "During the period between the entry date of this judgment and its effective date, however, the lawyer may wind up and complete, on behalf of any client, all matters which were pending before the entry date."
Troyer said the board does not pursue criminal charges; rather, it is up to the law firm to file charges.
When asked if the firm would pursue criminal charges, John Tuerck, director of communications for Ropes and Gray, declined comment.
"When the firm discovered the undisclosed business relationship, we immediately removed Mr. Vincent as a partner, referred the matter to the Board of Bar Overseers and took appropriate steps to protect our clients," Tuerck said. "The removal was effective April 20, 2009. We have no additional comment."
Vincent did not immediately return calls seeking comment on the disbarment.
Vincent was first elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2006. He is not currently on the board.
A graduate of Suffolk University School of Law, Vincent also has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a doctorate in biochemistry from Tufts University School of Medicine.
"This is absolutely sad and shocking," Selectman Philip Trapani said Friday, noting he considers Vincent a personal friend as well as a political one. "Matt is the last person I would ever think would engage in this activity. I truly feel sorry for his family and what they are going through."
Trapani said while Vincent is no longer on the board, the board will most likely raise questions about whether Vincent's activity with IP Resource Company was going on during his tenure.
"I would certainly say comment from the board is warranted," Trapani said. "Matt always holds people accountable; I expect he will hold himself accountable in the same way."
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