N.Y. Jud. Law § 168
The justices of the supreme court for the second judicial district residing in Kings county, or a majority of them; the justice or justices of the supreme court residing in Richmond county, or a majority of them; the justices of the supreme court for the eleventh judicial district residing in Queens county, or a majority of them; the justice or justices of the supreme court residing in Nassau county, or a majority of them; the justice or justices of the supreme court residing in Suffolk county, or a majority of them, may appoint, and at pleasure remove all clerks, attendants, messengers, and court officers in the supreme court in said counties, and fix their compensation except where such compensation is fixed by law. In the event of there being no resident justice in the county of Richmond, the power vested in and exercised by the resident justice or justices of Richmond county shall then be vested in the justices or a majority of them residing in Kings county during such period.
N.Y. Jud. Law § 168