N.Y. Jud. Law § 36

§ 36. Personal assistants to judges and justices. 1. Notwithstanding\nany other provisions of law, each justice of the supreme court may\nappoint and at pleasure remove one law clerk and one secretary, subject\nto standards and administrative policies promulgated pursuant to section\ntwenty-eight of article six of the constitution.\n 2. Should a judge or justice of the unified court system cease to hold\noffice for any reason other than expiration of his term, his personal\nassistants shall continue in office until a successor is appointed or\nelected to fill such vacancy. Until such vacancy is filled, the chief\nadministrator of the courts shall determine the functions to be\nperformed by such personal assistants.\n