There shall be a department of law of which the city solicitor shall be the head. He shall be appointed by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the council, and shall hold office during the term for which the mayor appointing him was elected and until his successor is appointed and qualified. The city solicitor shall appoint as many assistants and other employes as may be provided for by ordinance. The solicitor and assistant solicitors shall be attorneys-at-law, admitted and qualified to practice in the courts of this Commonwealth.
53 P.S. § 12461