There shall be a Law Department, the head of
which shall be the Corporation Counsel, who shall be appointed by
the Mayor subject to approval by the Common Council as a part-time
officer of the City.
The Corporation Counsel shall be an attorney
who for not less than five years has been licensed to practice law
in the State of New York.
Subject to Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations,
the Corporation Counsel shall appoint such secretarial and clerical
staff as may be required and authorized for the Department of Law
by the Common Council.
The Corporation Counsel shall serve as chief
legal advisor to the Mayor, the Common Council and all City departments.
He shall attend all Common Council meetings, shall represent the City
in all legal proceedings and shall perform any other duties prescribed
by law for a Corporation Counsel or Corporation Counsel by this Charter,
by local law or by ordinance.
The Corporation Counsel may employ counsel from
time to time to assist him in the performance of his duties within
any appropriation therefor.