There shall be a Department of Law, the head of which shall be the City Attorney. He or she shall be appointed to serve for a term of two years and until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor. Prior to his or her appointment he or she shall have been admitted to the bar of the State of New York and actively engaged in the practice of law in this state for a period of at least three years.
The City Attorney shall be the legal advisor of the Mayor and the Council and all departments, except as may otherwise be provided by this Charter or local law. He or she shall prosecute and defend actions and proceedings by and against the City and every department thereof. He or she shall advise the Council as to the form and sufficiency of all local laws, ordinances and resolutions prior to their passage, and shall review and approve all contracts, deeds, documents and instruments prior to the execution thereof by or on behalf of the City.
The City Attorney shall appoint an assistant City Attorney and may, within the limits of appropriations by Council appoint special counsel to assist him or her whenever, in his or her opinion, the interests of the City so require. Whenever the City Attorney shall be disqualified with respect to any matter, the Mayor shall appoint special counsel, to represent the City for and with respect to such matter.
The City Attorney, subject to the Charter, shall:
A. 
Serve as attorney and counselor for the City and its several departments;
B. 
Conduct appeals from orders, decisions or judgments affecting any interest of the City, as he or she may in his or her discretion determine to be necessary or desirable, or as directed by the Mayor and Council;
C. 
Subject to the approval of Council, have power to enter into any agreement, compromise or settlement of any litigation in which the City is involved;
D. 
Render opinions in writing upon any question of law submitted to him or her by the Mayor, the Council, or the head of any department, with respect to their official powers and duties;
E. 
Maintain a record of all actions, suits, proceedings and matters which relate to the City's interest, and report thereon from time to time as the Council may require;
F. 
Have such other different functions, powers and duties as may be provided by local law or ordinance.