52:15-8. Counsel and associate counsels to governor; appointment; duties
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary:
A. The Governor may appoint and commission a person to be known as counsel to the Governor and one or more persons to be known as associate counsels to the Governor. The Governor may also appoint such legal assistants as he may deem necessary.
Each of the persons thus appointed shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by the Governor within the limits of available appropriations therefor.
B. The counsel to the Governor shall:
(1) Give to the Governor legal advice on such matters as the Governor may from time to time require.
(2) Advise the Governor in regard to the constitutionality, consistency and legal effect of bills presented to the Governor for his approval.
(3) Examine and decide all legal matters submitted to him by the Governor.
(4) When directed by the Governor, act for him or any officer, agency or instrumentality in or of the Executive Branch of the State Government, in any matter in which the Governor may be interested.
(5) When so authorized by the Governor, assist the Governor in any examination or investigation undertaken or directed by the Governor pursuant to authority vested in him by law.
(6) When directed by the Governor, act for him in any matter in which he may be interested.
(7) Act as the sole legal adviser, attorney or counsel for the Governor and represent him in all suits, proceedings or actions of any kind which may be brought for or against him in any court of this State; interpret all statutes and legal documents for the Governor; and inspect and approve contracts and titles with which the Governor is concerned.
(8) Attend generally to all legal matters in which the Governor is a party or in which his rights or interests are involved.
(9) Perform such other duties as the Governor may from time to time prescribe.
C. Each associate counsel to the Governor shall:
(1) Assist the counsel to the Governor in the exercise of his powers and the performance of his functions and duties under this act.
(2) Perform such other duties as the Governor shall prescribe.
D. Legal assistants appointed by the Governor pursuant to the provisions of this act shall perform such duties as the Governor shall prescribe.
E. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with any of the provisions of this act are, to the extent of such inconsistency, hereby repealed.
L.1947, c. 5, p. 19, s. 1.