§2018. Appointment of assistants

            A. For the purpose of this Chapter, and in connection with proceedings involving only domestic insurers, the commissioner of insurance shall have the power to appoint one or more special deputies as his agent or agents and to employ such clerks, attorneys, or assistants he deems necessary, and to give each of such persons such powers to assist him as he may consider wise. The compensation of every such special deputy, agent, clerk, attorney, or assistant shall be fixed, and all expenses of taking possession of the property of the insurer and the administration thereof shall be approved by the commissioner of insurance, all subject to the approval of the court, and shall be paid out of the funds or assets of the insurer.

            B. The commissioner of insurance may employ staff counsel of the Department of Insurance or special counsel to provide representation in all matters covered pursuant to this Chapter in which the assets of an insurer's estate are less than one million dollars. The fees and expenses of staff or special counsel employed pursuant to this Subsection may be reimbursed pursuant to Subsection A of this Section.

            C. The attorney general shall provide representation for the commissioner of insurance in all matters covered pursuant to this Chapter in which the assets of an insurer's estate equal or exceed one million dollars. The attorney general may appoint special counsel to provide this representation. The attorney general shall submit to the receivership court a certification of expenses and legal fees for staff and special counsel for reimbursement pursuant to Subsection A of this Section.

            D. The commissioner of insurance shall name and select the special counsel employed pursuant to this Section subject to the approval of the attorney general, who shall not unreasonably withhold such approval.

            Acts 1958, No. 125. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 116, §1, eff. June 29, 1979; Acts 1991, No. 382, §1, eff. July 6, 1991; Redesignated from R.S. 22:743 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2012, No. 271, §1; Acts 2015, No. 340, §1, eff. June 29, 2015.

NOTE: Former R.S. 22:2018 redesignated as R.S. 22:263 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.

NOTE: §2 of Acts 2015, No. 340, provides for retroactive application to all pending receivership proceedings.