N.Y. Jud. Law § 197

§ 197. Appointment of confidential clerks by county judges of Kings,\nQueens, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Rockland, Dutchess and Saint\nLawrence counties and by special county judge of Erie county. Each of\nthe county judges of the counties of Kings, Queens, Erie, Monroe,\nNassau, Onondaga, Rockland, Dutchess and Saint Lawrence shall, and the\nspecial county judge of the county of Erie may, appoint and at pleasure\nremove, a confidential clerk. Such clerks shall be exempt from\ncompetitive examination, and their fitness and qualifications for the\noffice shall be approved by the judge making the appointment.\n