§ 36. Personal assistants to judges and justices. 1. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of law, each justice of the supreme court may
appoint and at pleasure remove one law clerk and one secretary, subject
to standards and administrative policies promulgated pursuant to section
twenty-eight of article six of the constitution.

2. Should a judge or justice of the unified court system cease to hold
office for any reason other than expiration of his term, his personal
assistants shall continue in office until a successor is appointed or
elected to fill such vacancy. Until such vacancy is filled, the chief
administrator of the courts shall determine the functions to be
performed by such personal assistants.