§ 8. Counsel. There shall be a counsel of the department to be
appointed by the commissioner and who shall serve during the pleasure of
the commissioner. The counsel of the department shall represent and
appear for the department in all actions and proceedings involving any
question under this chapter or within the jurisdiction of the department
under any general or special law or under or in reference to any act,
order or proceeding of or before the commissioner, and shall, when
directed, intervene, if possible, in behalf of the department in any
action or proceeding involving or relating to any matter within the
jurisdiction or powers of the department as herein prescribed, except
that the attorney-general of the state shall continue to have direct
charge of and bring such actions as he may deem necessary for any and
all violations of this chapter. The said counsel shall, also, act as
counsel for any officer of the department in the conduct of a hearing,
investigation or inquiry instituted under authority of the department or
as provided in this chapter. He shall advise the commissioner or any
officer of the department, when so requested, in regard to all matters
in connection with their powers and duties, and perform generally all
duties and services as counsel of the department which may reasonably be
required of him.