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.