N.Y. Transp. Law § 81

§ 81. Counsel to the commissioner; duties. The commissioner shall\nappoint an attorney to represent and appear for the people of the state\nand the commissioner in all actions and proceedings involving any\nquestion under this chapter, or within the jurisdiction of the\ncommissioner under the railroad law, or under or in reference to any act\nor order of the commissioner, in relation to functions and powers\npossessed by and all obligations and duties transferred to the\ncommissioner from the public service commission and the department of\npublic service by the provisions of this chapter and, if directed to do\nso by the commissioner, to intervene, if possible, in any action or\nproceeding in which any such question is involved. The attorney\nappointed by the commissioner shall have the duty of commencing and\nprosecuting all actions and proceedings directed or authorized by the\ncommissioner, and to expedite in every way possible final determination\nof all such actions and proceedings.\n