Ohio Revised Code Title XLIX. Public Utilities § 4911.12

(A) Notwithstanding Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code, the consumers' counsel may employ and fix the compensation of such officers, experts, lawyers, engineers, economists, statisticians, accountants, investigators, and employees in fiduciary, supervisory, or policy-making positions as are necessary to carry out Chapters 4909. and 4911. of the Revised Code or to perform the powers and duties conferred or imposed upon him by law. These employees shall be in the unclassified civil service, shall not be considered public employees for purposes of Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code, and shall serve at the pleasure of the counsel. The counsel may also employ such clerical employees, including clerks and stenographers, as are necessary to carry out Chapters 4909. and 4911. of the Revised Code or to perform his duties and exercise the powers conferred by law upon him. These clerical employees shall be in the classified civil service. All officers, lawyers, engineers, economists, statisticians, accountants, investigators, stenographers, clerks, and other employees of the counsel and the expenses of the office of the counsel, the expenses of the counsel, and the expenses of the employees of such office shall be paid from funds appropriated for the use of the consumers' counsel after being approved by the consumers' counsel.

(B) The consumers' counsel may contract for the services of technically qualified persons in the area of public utility matters to assist him in carrying out the duties of his office. Such persons shall be paid from funds appropriated for the use of the consumers' counsel after being approved by the consumers' counsel.