(a) Beginning January 1, 2007, and for every four years after that date, the State Board of Public Defense shall appoint a chief appellate public defender in charge of appellate services, who shall employ or retain assistant state public defenders and other personnel as may be necessary to discharge the functions of the office. The chief appellate public defender shall serve a four-year term and may be removed only for cause upon the order of the State Board of Public Defense. The chief appellate public defender shall be a full-time qualified attorney, licensed to practice law in this state, and serve in the unclassified service of the state. Vacancies in the office shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term.

(b) An assistant state public defender shall be a qualified attorney, licensed to practice law in this state, serve in the unclassified service of the state if employed, and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority at a salary or retainer fee not to exceed reasonable compensation for comparable services performed for other governmental agencies or departments. Retained or part-time employed assistant state public defenders may engage in the general practice of law. The compensation of the chief appellate public defender and the compensation of each assistant state public defender shall be set by the State Board of Public Defense. The chief appellate public defender shall devote full time to the performance of duties and shall not engage in the general practice of law.

(c) The incumbent deputy state public defender as of December 31, 2006, shall be appointed as the chief appellate public defender for the four-year term beginning on January 1, 2007.