If a county counselor is appointed, he and his assistants under his direction shall represent the county and all departments, officers, institutions and agencies thereof, except as otherwise provided by law and shall upon request of any county department, officer, institution or agency for which legal counsel is otherwise provided by law, and upon the approval of the county commission, represent such department, officer, institution or agency. He shall commence, prosecute or defend, as the case may require, and exercise exclusive authority in all civil suits or actions in which the county or any county officer, commission or agency is a party, in his or its official capacity, he shall draw all contracts relating to the business of the county, he shall represent the county generally in all matters of civil law, and he shall upon request furnish written opinions to any county officer or department.

(RSMo 1939 § 12991, A.L. 1947 V. II p. 210, A.L. 1951 p. 417, A.L. 1973 H.B. 670)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 11366; 1919 § 784; 1909 § 1045