United States First Circuit

In a bankruptcy matter, questions on attorney's lien statute are certified where there was no controlling precedent and where the questions were determinative of the pending cause of actions. Certified questions are: 1) Does chapter 221, section 50 of the Massachusetts General Laws grant a lien on patents and patent applications to a Massachusetts attorney for patent prosecution work performed on behalf of a client? and 2) If chapter 221, section 50 of the Massachusetts General Laws does grant a lien and the issued patents or patent applications are sold, does the attorney's lien attach to the proceeds of the sale?

Appellate Information

• Decided 10/06/2008
• Published 10/06/2008

Judges

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel