§ 200. Corporation counsel. The corporation counsel shall be the head
of the department of law. He may appoint, to hold office during his
pleasure, a first assistant and such other subordinates as may be
prescribed by the board of estimate and apportionment. In case of the
absence or disability of the corporation counsel, or of a vacancy in the
office, the first assistant shall discharge the duties of the office
until the corporation counsel returns, his disability ceases or the
vacancy is filled. The corporation counsel and first assistant before
entering upon the discharge of the duties of their respective offices,
shall each execute and file with the city clerk an official undertaking
in such penal sum as may be prescribed by the common council.