Town’s Deputy Attorney Rectifying Delinquent Status

   According to the New York State Unified Court System, Carl Irace, East Hampton Town’s deputy town attorney, is late in renewing his registration with the state as a practicing attorney, resulting in his status being designated as “delinquent.”

    Attorneys are required to renew their registration with the court every two years, providing proof of good standing and completion of required continuing legal education courses, and paying a $375 fee. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action or, in extreme cases, suspension from the New York bar.

    A late renewal does not in itself affect a lawyer’s ability to practice. According to online court records, thousands of attorneys in New York State are late in reregistering.

    Mr. Irace’s previous registration expired in May 2010. “I’m in the process of rectifying it,” the attorney said yesterday. He said he is in good standing with the court and had in fact been recently admitted to the federal bar, and that he was well over the requirement in continuing education credits.

    Renewal forms are mailed to attorneys the month before their birthdays, an individual’s biennial renewal date.

    Because of the two-year interim between registrations, and because he had moved several times since his last renewal, Mr. Irace said that the renewal date was overlooked and that a reminder from the court had likely not reached him by mail.

    After being hired by East Hampton Town in January 2010, Mr. Irace, who formerly practiced in the Bronx County District Attorney’s office, gave up a New York City apartment and moved to East Quogue. He subsequently moved to East Hampton. “I know it got messed up when I moved,” he said.

    Recently, though, with an upcoming birthday, he began expecting to receive a notice from the court. After being contacted about the matter yesterday, Mr. Irace tried to renew his license online, but found that was not possible. He said that he had called the court system and made sure a renewal form would be sent to the correct address.