§16-5C-14. Legal counsel and services of the department.

(a)  Legal counsel and services for the department in all administrative hearings may be provided by the Attorney General or a staff attorney and all proceedings in any circuit court and the Supreme Court of Appeals shall be provided by the Attorney General, or his or her assistants, or an attorney employed by the department in proceedings in any circuit court, by the prosecuting attorney of the county as well, all without additional compensation.

(b)  The Governor may appoint counsel for the department, who shall perform such legal services in representing the interests of residents in nursing homes in matters under the jurisdiction of the secretary as the Governor shall direct. It shall be the duty of such counsel to appear for the residents in all cases where they are not represented by counsel. The compensation of such counsel shall be fixed by the Governor.