The City Attorney shall be the official legal adviser of the officers of the city. When called upon, he or she shall render oral or written opinions upon legal questions that may arise in the administration of the laws of the city or relating to proposed legislation or policy, and shall represent the city in all suits brought by or against it. He or she may employ assistants in the performance of his or her duty, but only when expressly authorized so to do by ordinance or resolution of the City Commission. He or she shall be paid the salary as the City Commission may by resolution or ordinance direct, or may be paid on an hourly basis, at his or her usual and customary rate.
(1981 Code, § 2-56)
Statutory reference:
Authority for City Commission to provide for the Office of City Attorney, see NMSA § 3-12-4B