New York Consolidated Laws, Judiciary Law - JUD § 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.