Tennessee Code Title 3. Legislature § 3-12-102

The joint legislative services committee shall appoint, subject to the approval of the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, a director of legal services who shall be a graduate of an accredited law school, shall be licensed to practice law in the state of Tennessee, shall have five (5) or more years of experience in the field of legislative law, and shall have such training or practical experience in government as may be deemed necessary to perform the duties of the office. The director of legal services and other personnel shall be chosen without reference to party affiliation but solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the office. The director shall serve at the pleasure of the committee. The committee shall determine the compensation of the director, while the compensation of other personnel shall be determined by the committee upon recommendation of the director. Personnel shall be employed on recommendation of the director with the approval of the speakers.