Section 1. The Department of Law shall consist of a city solicitor, who shall be the head thereof, and shall hold his office for a term of three years, and until his successor shall be duly chosen and qualified. The department shall have as many assistants and clerks as may be authorized by ordinance, who shall be appointed by the city solicitor. The solicitor and assistant solicitors shall be attorneys-at-law, admitted and qualified to practice in the courts of this Commonwealth.
The city solicitor shall:
I. Be the legal adviser, and act as attorney and counsel for the city and all its departments and officers.
II. Prepare all contracts to be made with the city or any of its departments, and endorse on each his approval of the form thereof, before the same shall take effect, and be the custodian of all such papers and records as may be designated, and perform such other duties appertaining to his department as may be required by law or ordinance.
III. He shall make a monthly return to the city controller of each item of money or moneys received by or through him or his assistants by virtue of his office, including all fees and perquisites for the preparation of any contracts, bonds or other instruments of writing, or such as may be derived from any other subject matter connected with the city or its affairs, and shall pay monthly such amount to the city treasurer.
No department of the city shall employ any other solicitor, but assistant counsel may be employed in any particular matter or cause by the City Recorder, with the consent of councils, but he shall be selected by the city solicitor.
(1 amended June 20, 1901, P.L.586, No.299)