The Commission may employ its own attorney. The Executive Director shall appoint and remove the attorney with the approval of the Commission. The attorney shall: act as general counsel and legal adviser to the Commission; and represent the Commission at all hearings and judicial proceedings in which the Commission is a party. The general counsel is entitled to the compensation provided in the State budget. The office of the general counsel shall include additional personnel as provided in the State budget. The general counsel and any assistant general counsel are special appointments in the State Personnel Management System. The Commission may retain legal assistance to advise the commissioners in legal matters. Legal advisers retained under this subsection shall be compensated as provided in the State budget.