Section 45313 Of Article 6. Merit System From California Education Code >> Division 3. >> Title 2. >> Part 25. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 6.

. The legal counsel of the governing board shall aid and represent the commission in all legal matters. If the legal counsel does not respond to a written request by the commission for aid or representation within 15 working days of receipt of the written request, the counsel is deemed to have refused to aid or represent the commission in that matter. The legal counsel shall refuse to represent the commission in circumstances in which the counsel knows, or has reason to know, that at the time the request is made a conflict exists between the interests of the commission and the interests of the governing board or the school district. If the legal counsel refuses to aid or represent the commission in a legal matter, the commission may employ its own attorney, and the reasonable cost thereof shall constitute a legal charge against the general funds of the school district.