This section does not apply to a unit under the jurisdiction of the Department to the extent that the unit is authorized by law to employ its own legal counsel. The Attorney General is the legal adviser to the Department. The Attorney General shall assign to the Department the number of assistant Attorneys General that are authorized by law for the Department and its units. The Attorney General shall designate one of the assistant Attorneys General assigned to the Department as counsel to the Department and may not reassign that individual without consulting with the Secretary. The counsel may only: advise the Secretary, the Maryland Economic Development Commission, and any other official of the Department as they require; supervise the other assistant Attorneys General assigned to the Department; and perform for the Department the other duties that the Attorney General assigns. The other assistant Attorneys General shall perform for the Department the other duties that the Attorney General assigns.