§ 15. General Counsel.

(a) Authority to employ.

The City Council may employ the services of an independent General Counsel. The selection and employment of the General Counsel shall be consistent with this section, as supplemented by the Rules of the City Council.

(b) Qualifications.

The General Counsel:

(1) must be a member of the Maryland Bar;

(2) must meet all other qualifications for the position set by the Rules of the City Council;

(3) during his or her term, is subject to the Rules of the City Council that generally govern officers and employees of the Council; and

(4) during her or his term, may not engage in any other practice of law unless:

(i) it is uncompensated and in the nature of community service, such as pro bono advice to or representation of indigent clients; or

(ii) it is on behalf of her- or himself or her or his parent, spouse, or child.

(c) Term.

The General Counsel serves at the pleasure of the City Council.

(d) Duties.

As the City Council directs, the General Counsel shall:

(1) provide independent legal advice to the City Council, its committees, and subcommittees;

(2) assist the City Council in investigations undertaken by the City Council or any of its committees or subcommittees; and

(3) generally serve as attorney for the City Council.

(e) Compensation; Expenses.

(1) The General Counsel's compensation shall be at least equal to that of a full-time Chief of the Law Department's General Counsel Division.

(2) The Board of Estimates shall annually include in the Ordinance of Estimates submitted to the City Council an amount sufficient to fund the General Counsel's compensation and necessary expenses.

(3) The amount appropriated for the General Counsel's compensation and expenses shall be in addition to and may not supplant, be deducted from, or serve as a basis for reducing any part of the operating budget of the City Council.