N.Y. CNT Law § 501

§ 501. Duties. 1. The county attorney shall be the legal advisor to\nthe board of supervisors and every officer whose compensation is paid\nfrom county funds in all matters involving an official act of a civil\nnature. The county attorney shall prosecute and defend all civil actions\nand proceedings brought by or against the county, the board of\nsupervisors and any officer whose compensation is paid from county funds\nfor any official act, except as otherwise provided by this chapter or\nother law. Within the limits of the appropriation, the county attorney\nmay employ counsel to assist in any civil action or proceeding brought\nby or against the county or any county officer in his official capacity.\nUpon the appointment of a county attorney no consent or order of the\ncourt shall be necessary to effect a substitution of attorneys.\n 2. Whenever the interests of the board of supervisors or the county\nare inconsistent with the interests of any officer paid his compensation\nfrom county funds, the county attorney shall represent the interests of\nthe board of supervisors and the county. In such case the officer may\nemploy an attorney-at-law at his own expense unless the provisions of\nsection eighteen of the public officers law are applicable.\n 3. The county attorney shall perform such additional and related\nduties as may be prescribed by law and directed by the board of\nsupervisors.\n 4. The board of supervisors may include in such directions the\nrendering of advice and service to town boards and town officers when\nnot in conflict with the interests of the county, board of supervisors\nor an officer whose compensation is paid from county funds.\n 5. The board of supervisors may create the position of confidential\nsecretary to the county attorney. Such position shall be in the exempt\nclass of the civil service. The county attorney shall appoint such\nconfidential secretary, who shall serve at his pleasure.\n