Cal. Gov. Code § 31529.5
Notwithstanding Section 31529, the board may contract for the legal services of an attorney in private practice when the board determines, after consultation with the county counsel, that the county counsel cannot provide the board with legal services due to a conflict of interest or other compelling reason. The compensation of such attorney shall be paid from the portion of reserves created by Section 31592 which exceed one percent of the total assets of the fund, or in the absence of such excess reserves, from the county general fund.
This section shall not be operative in any county until such time as the board of supervisors shall, by resolution adopted by majority vote, make the provisions of this section applicable in such county.
Ca. Gov. Code § 31529.5