There shall be a City Attorney(s) or law firm who shall be appointed by the City Manager, with the approval of the City Council at the organizational meeting to serve for two years with compensation determined by the City Council. The City Attorney(s) may be removed during said period for any cause or reason by a resolution approved by 2/3 of the total members of the City Council. Prior to appointment, the City Attorney(s) shall have been admitted to practice law in the State of New York and practicing as such for at least five years previous to the appointment as City Attorney(s). The City Attorney(s) shall be the legal advisor of and Attorney(s) 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. The City Council and City Manager shall notify the other of any such directions made to the City Attorney(s).
When required to do so by the City Manager or by ordinance, the City Attorney(s) 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. The City Attorney(s) 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 City Attorney(s) 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 City Attorney(s) 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 City Attorney(s), when authorized or directed by the City Council or the City Manager, may employ counsel to assist the argument and conduct of cases or proceedings in which the city is interested or a party. The City Council and City Manager shall notify the other of any such directions to the City Attorney(s).
In the event of the absence, disqualification or disability of the City Attorney, as determined by the City Manager, the City Manager shall have the power to appoint, with the approval of City Council, Special City Attorney(s) to act during the period of absence, disqualification or disability of the City Attorney. In a special emergency, such action may be taken without the consent of the City Council but subject to its later approval.