(2) The board shall designate a member of the Oregon State Bar as counsel to assist it in the performance of its functions and duties. Notwithstanding ORS chapter 180 and independently of the Attorney General, the designated counsel may represent the board in any litigation or other matter pending in a court of law to which the board is a party or in which it is otherwise interested. The designated counsel may not appear before the board in any other capacity. [1969 c.80 §35e; 1973 c.536 §30; 1977 c.808 §5; 1979 c.468 §8; 2017 c.496 §1]