Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-1-102

The governor and all subordinate officers of this state are empowered to protect the territory of this state, within its defined limits in all the courts of the country, and the governor may employ counsel for this purpose whenever, in the governor's judgment, it becomes necessary in order to protect this state and the citizens of the commonwealth against illegal encroachments upon their rights, the fee for such services to be fixed by the governor and approved by the attorney general and reporter.