Section 305.14. Employment of legal counsel

(A) The court of common pleas, upon the application of the prosecuting attorney and the board of county commissioners, may authorize the board to employ legal counsel to assist the prosecuting attorney, the board, or any other county officer in any matter of public business coming before such board or officer, and in the prosecution or defense of any action or proceeding in which such board or officer is a party or has an interest, in its official capacity.

(B) The board of county commissioners may also employ legal counsel, as provided in section 309.09 of the Revised Code, to represent it in any matter of public business coming before such board, and in the prosecution or defense of any action or proceeding in which such board is a party or has an interest, in its official capacity.

(C) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section and except as provided in division (D) of this section, a county board of developmental disabilities or a public children services agency may, without the authorization of the court of common pleas, employ legal counsel to advise it or to represent it or any of its members or employees in any matter of public business coming before the board or agency or in the prosecution or defense of any action or proceeding in which the board or agency in its official capacity, or a board or agency member or employee in the member's or employee's official capacity, is a party or has an interest.

(D)

(1) In any legal proceeding in which the prosecuting attorney is fully able to perform the prosecuting attorney's statutory duty to represent the county board of developmental disabilities or public children services agency without conflict of interest, the board or agency shall employ other counsel only with the written consent of the prosecuting attorney. In any legal proceeding in which the prosecuting attorney is unable, for any reason, to represent the board or agency, the prosecuting attorney shall so notify the board or agency, and, except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, the board or agency may then employ counsel for the proceeding without further permission from any authority.

(2) A public children services agency that receives money from the county general revenue fund must obtain the permission of the board of county commissioners of the county served by the agency before employing counsel under division (C) of this section.

Amended by 128th General Assemblych.29, SB 79, §1, eff. 10/6/2009.

Effective Date: 10-05-2000