(a) Notwithstanding Sections 11042 and 11043 of the Government Code, the executive director may employ as general counsel for the agency an attorney at law licensed in this state. The general counsel, or in his or her absence, the general counsel’s designee, shall advise the board, the chairperson, and the executive director, when so requested, with regard to all matters in connection with the powers and duties of the agency and the board members and officers thereof. The general counsel shall serve as secretary to the board and shall perform all duties and services as general counsel to the agency that the agency may require of that person.
(b) Except as provided in Section 11040 of the Government Code, the Attorney General shall represent and appear for the people of the state and the agency in all court proceedings involving any question under this division or any order or act of the agency. However, the agency may also employ private counsel to assist in any court proceeding.
(c) Notwithstanding Sections 11042 and 11043 of the Government Code, the executive director may appoint as bond counsel for the agency an attorney or attorneys. Nothing in this section or any other provision of law shall preclude the appointment of more than one attorney to serve as bond counsel. However, at all times at least one attorney shall be licensed to practice law in this state. If the agency appoints more than one bond counsel for a bond issue, the combined fees paid to all bond counsel shall not exceed those fees that would have been paid had only one bond counsel been appointed.
(d) Under the authority of this section, the executive director may appoint or retain an attorney or attorneys to undertake other appropriate legal studies and assignments not in conflict with this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 338, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)