(a)      This section does not apply to a governmental unit in the Department to the extent that the governmental unit is authorized by law to employ its own legal adviser or counsel.

      (b)      The Attorney General is the legal adviser to the Department.

      (c)      The Attorney General shall assign to the Department the number of assistant Attorneys General authorized by law for the Department and its governmental units.

      (d)      An assistant Attorney General shall be a lawyer of the State in good standing.

      (e)      An assistant Attorney General is entitled to the compensation provided in the State budget.

      (f)      (1)      The Attorney General shall designate one of the assistant Attorneys General as counsel to the Department and may not reassign the counsel without consulting the Secretary.

            (2)      The counsel to the Department has no duty other than to:

                  (i)      give the legal aid, advice, and counsel that the Secretary and the other officials of the Department require; and

                  (ii)      supervise the other assistant Attorneys General assigned to the Department.

            (3)      The counsel shall perform the duties specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection subject to the control and discretion of the Attorney General.

      (g)      (1)      The counsel and the other assistant Attorneys General in the Department shall perform those duties that the Attorney General assigns.

            (2)      The Attorney General may require an assistant Attorney General to perform, subject to the Attorney General's control and discretion, any duty for the Department required of the Attorney General by law.