New York Consolidated Laws, Judiciary Law - JUD § 251. Clerks in courts of record within the territory of the first, second, tenth and eleventh judicial districts not to be appointed referees, receivers, or commissioners

No person holding the office of clerk, deputy clerk, special deputy clerk, assistant special deputy clerk, or assistant in the clerk's office, of a court of record within the first, second, tenth and eleventh judicial districts or territory comprising the same, shall hereafter be appointed by any court or judge, a referee, receiver or commissioner;  except that a person holding such office who is an attorney in good standing admitted to practice in the state may be appointed as a referee to serve without fee where authorized by any provision of the civil practice law and rules or any other law.