(1) The Attorney General shall appoint a deputy attorney general, who shall have the same qualifications required of a Circuit Judge except for residence in a district and who shall receive the same salary as a Circuit Judge, to serve at the pleasure of the Attorney General and to perform the duties he or she may designate. The Attorney General may appoint two (2) assistant deputy attorneys general, who shall have the same qualifications required of a District Judge except for residence in a district and who shall receive the same salary as a District Judge, to serve at the pleasure of the Attorney General and to perform the duties he or she may designate. In addition thereto, he or she shall appoint a solicitor general to serve at the pleasure of the Attorney General and to perform the duties he or she may designate and shall set his or her salary.
(2) In addition to the deputy attorney general, the Attorney General shall appoint such assistants and special attorneys as he or she deems necessary to transact the business of the Department of Law, and to perform the duties he or she may designate. The deputy attorney general, assistant deputy attorneys general, assistants, and special attorneys shall have full power, as authorized and under the direction of the Attorney General, to perform such duties as may be performed by the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall be responsible for the official acts of his or her deputy, assistant deputy attorneys general, assistants, and special attorneys.
(3) In addition to the appointment and designation of a deputy, assistant deputy attorneys general, assistants, and special attorneys pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the Attorney General may enter into such contracts for legal services as he or she deems necessary and advisable. Such contracts shall be subject to the relevant provisions of the Kentucky Model Procurement Code in KRS Chapter 45A.
(4) Each assistant or special attorney so appointed or designated shall be a person admitted to the practice of law by the Supreme Court of this Commonwealth and shall qualify by taking the oath of office.