Minnesota § 8.06 - ATTORNEY FOR STATE OFFICERS, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS; EMPLOY COUNSEL
Full text of Minnesota Minnesota Statutes § 8.06 — ATTORNEY FOR STATE OFFICERS, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS; EMPLOY COUNSEL, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 8.06. ATTORNEY FOR STATE OFFICERS, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS; EMPLOY COUNSEL
The attorney general shall act as the attorney for all state officers and all boards or commissions created by law in all matters pertaining to their official duties. When requested by the attorney general, it shall be the duty of any county attorney of the state to appear within the county and act as attorney for any such board, commission, or officer in any court of such county. The attorney general may, upon request in writing, employ, and fix the compensation of, a special attorney for any such board, commission, or officer when, in the attorney general's judgment, the public welfare will be promoted thereby. Such special attorney's fees or salary shall be paid from the appropriation made for such board, commission, or officer. Except as herein provided, no board, commission, or officer shall hereafter employ any attorney at the expense of the state.
Whenever the attorney general, the governor, and the chief justice of the supreme court shall certify, in writing, filed in the Office of the Secretary of State, that it is necessary, in the proper conduct of the legal business of the state, either civil or criminal, that the state employ additional counsel, the attorney general shall thereupon be authorized to employ such counsel and, with the governor and the chief justice, fix the additional counsel's compensation. The governor, if in the governor's opinion the public interest requires such action, may employ counsel to act in any action or proceeding if the attorney general is in any way interested adversely to the state. Except as herein stated, no additional counsel shall be employed and the legal business of the state shall be performed exclusively by the attorney general and the attorney general's assistants.
History:
(114) 1905 c 227 s 6; 1911 c 56 s 2; 1955 c 861 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 345 art 1 s 42; 1994 c 636 art 10 s 1; 1Sp2003 c 1 art 2 s 17
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes
Source: official Minnesota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota § 8.06
What does Minnesota Statutes § 8.06 cover?
Section 8.06 ("ATTORNEY FOR STATE OFFICERS, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS; EMPLOY COUNSEL") is part of the Minnesota Statutes, the codified statutory law of Minnesota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Minnesota § 8.06?
A common citation format is "Minnesota Statutes § 8.06" (Minnesota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Minnesota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Minnesota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Minnesota attorney.
How does Minnesota § 8.06 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Minnesota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.