N.Y. State Law § 10

§ 10. Defense of state sovereignty and jurisdiction. The governor\nshall, at the expense of the state, employ counsel and provide for the\ndefense of any action or proceeding, instituted against the state, or\nagainst any person deriving title therefrom, to recover any lands within\nthe state, under pretence of any claim inconsistent with its sovereignty\nand jurisdiction.\n