On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a judgment disbarring attorney Edward A. Sargent from the practice of law. The disbarment stems from Sargent’s intentional misuse of third-party funds, specifically $8,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) funds intended for his client’s medical providers.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Edward A. Sargent,” with case no. SJC-13545.
The case originated from an incident in December 2018, where Sargent was retained to represent a child and her mother in a personal injury matter. The child had been struck by a motor vehicle and sustained serious injuries, incurring over $91,000 in medical bills. The child was transported via New England Life Flight (NELF) to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for treatment. The mother’s primary concern in seeking legal representation was ensuring her daughter’s medical bills would be paid.
In January 2019, Sargent received $8,000 in PIP funds from the automobile insurance carrier, representing the policy limit. These funds were deposited into his Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA). Despite knowing the funds were earmarked for the child’s medical expenses, Sargent withdrew the entire amount in seventeen separate transactions over a two-month period, using the money for personal and business expenses. He also misrepresented to the child’s mother that he would hold onto the $8,000 until he was sure that all the medical bills were paid.
During this period, MassHealth, the child’s insurer, negotiated with MGH and NELF, reaching agreements to pay approximately $15,200 and $3,800, respectively, with the remaining balances written off.
In July 2019, Bar Counsel, investigating Sargent’s IOLTA transactions, requested bank statements and explanations. While Sargent initially responded, he did not disclose the PIP fund transactions. Following a subpoena, Sargent deposited $8,000 into the child’s client account in December 2019 and subsequently issued a check for the same amount to the child’s mother.
Bar counsel filed a three-count petition for discipline against Sargent in May 2021, which was later amended. Following an evidentiary hearing in April 2022, the hearing committee concluded that Sargent had violated multiple Rules of Professional Conduct, including failing to segregate trust funds, neglecting to deliver funds to a third party promptly, and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty and misrepresentation. The committee initially recommended indefinite suspension, but the Board of Bar Overseers ultimately recommended disbarment.
After a hearing, the single justice issued a memorandum of decision agreeing with the board’s conclusion and ordering that the respondent be disbarred from the practice of law.
Sargent appealed the single justice’s order of disbarment, arguing that his misuse of funds did not result in deprivation because it was unclear who was entitled to the money at the time of withdrawal. He also claimed mitigating factors warranted a lesser sanction. The court rejected these arguments, finding that Sargent’s actions did result in actual deprivation of the medical providers.
The court also determined that the mitigating factors he presented, including remorse and financial distress, were insufficient to justify a departure from the disbarment sanction. The court noted that restitution was not made to the injured party. The court further cited Sargent’s prior disciplinary record and other violations as aggravating factors.
The Disposition states:
“After reviewing the record and considering the arguments raised by the respondent on appeal, we conclude that the single justice did not err or abuse his discretion in entering a judgment of disbarment.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Sargent was a medical malpractice attorney in Danvers, Massachusetts. He acquired his law license in Massachusetts in 2002.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
