[Amended 11-17-2005 by L.L. No. 4-2005]
There shall be a Corporation Counsel who shall be appointed by the City Council for an indefinite term with compensation determined by the City Council. The Corporation Counsel may be removed during said period for any cause or reason by a Resolution approved by two-thirds of the total members of the City Council. Prior to appointment the Corporation Counsel shall be admitted to practice law in the State of New York and practicing as such for at least five years previous to the appointment as Corporation Counsel. Corporation Counsel shall be the legal advisor of and attorney for the City, the City Council, the City Manager, and all City departments, bureaus, boards and commissions thereof, in matters relating to their official duties, and when requested by either the City Council or City Manager, shall prosecute or defend all actions, suits and proceedings for and in behalf of the City.
When required to do so by the Manager or by Resolution or Ordinance, Corporation Counsel shall prosecute or defend for and in behalf of the City, all actions, suits, proceedings and controversies to which the City is a party or in which it is in any way interested. Corporation Counsel shall have power to appeal from orders, decisions or judgments, and shall, subject to the approval of the City Council, have power to enter into any agreement, compromise or settlement of any claims against the City.
The Corporation Counsel shall prepare or review all contracts, bonds and other instruments in which the City is concerned, and before execution thereof, shall endorse on each the approval of the form and correctness thereof when requested by the City Council or the City Manager.
Neither the Corporation Counsel nor any assistant shall in a professional capacity appear or advise or be interested, directly or indirectly, in any matter, action or proceeding in which the interest of the City may be adverse.
The Corporation Counsel, when authorized or directed by the City Council, or the City Manager, may employ counsel for assistance in the argument and conduct of cases or proceedings in which the City is interested or a party.