There shall be a department of law which shall consist of the city attorney, who shall be head of the department, and such assistant attorneys and other employees as may be provided by ordinance.
The head of the department of law shall be appointed by the council. He shall be an attorney at law licensed to practice under the laws of the commonwealth. The city attorney shall be the chief legal advisor of the council, the city manager and of all departments, boards, commissions, and agencies of the city, including the school board, in all matters affecting the interests of the city. He shall represent the city in all civil proceedings. It shall be his duty to perform all services incident to his position as may be required by the laws of the commonwealth, this Charter, or by ordinance. He shall have general management and control of the department.