(a) Appointment.--Except as provided under subsection (b), the county commissioners may appoint one or more assistant county solicitors or special counsel. The assistant county solicitors or special counsel shall be attorneys at law admitted to practice in the courts of this Commonwealth. The assistant county solicitors and special counsel shall perform duties in connection with the legal affairs of the county as may be assigned by the county commissioners or the county solicitor.
(b) Authorization.--In counties of the second class A, the county solicitor shall have the authority to appoint assistant county solicitors and special counsel under subsection (a), subject to the approval of the county commissioners.