Section 8. Counsel

There  shall  be  a  counsel  of the department to be
  appointed by the commissioner and who shall serve during the pleasure of
  the commissioner. The counsel of  the  department  shall  represent  and
  appear  for  the department in all actions and proceedings involving any
  question under this chapter or within the jurisdiction of the department
  under any general or special law or under or in reference  to  any  act,
  order  or  proceeding  of  or  before  the commissioner, and shall, when
  directed, intervene, if possible, in behalf of  the  department  in  any
  action  or  proceeding  involving  or  relating to any matter within the
  jurisdiction or powers of the department as  herein  prescribed,  except
  that  the  attorney-general  of  the state shall continue to have direct
  charge of and bring such actions as he may deem necessary  for  any  and
  all  violations  of this chapter.   The said counsel shall, also, act as
  counsel for any officer of the department in the conduct of  a  hearing,
  investigation or inquiry instituted under authority of the department or
  as  provided  in  this  chapter. He shall advise the commissioner or any
  officer of the department, when so requested, in regard to  all  matters
  in  connection  with  their powers and duties, and perform generally all
  duties and services as counsel of the department which may reasonably be
  required of him.