(1) Except as otherwise provided herein, no district attorney shall engage in the private practice of law. However, district attorneys may continue to practice for a period of time, not to exceed six (6) months from the date of taking office, in any of the courts so far as to enable them to bring to a conclusion civil cases actually pending in which such district attorneys were employed when they were appointed or elected.
(2) Any person not serving as a legal assistant to the district attorney who is appointed by the Governor to serve as district attorney to fill a vacancy occurring in such office until such office shall be filled by a special or regular election as provided by Sections 23-15-193, 23-15-833 and 23-15-843 shall be allowed to engage in the private practice of law while holding the office of district attorney pursuant to such appointment.