N.Y. Exec. Law § 4
A secretary to the governor shall be appointed by the governor, and shall receive a salary to be fixed by the governor within the amount appropriated therefor. It shall be the duty of such secretary to assist the governor in matters pertaining to the executive department and perform such duties as the governor may assign to him. The governor may also appoint and at pleasure remove a counsel to the governor who shall receive a salary to be fixed by the governor within the amount appropriated therefor. It shall be the duty of such counsel to advise the governor in regard to the constitutionality, consistency and legal effect of bills presented to the governor for his approval and on matters involving the exercise of executive clemency and such other legal matters as may be referred to him by the governor.
N.Y. Exec. Law § 4