Anything in a city, county, or city and county charter to the contrary notwithstanding, the governing board or boards of any school district may appoint an administrative adviser and fix and order paid his compensation. The duties of the administrative adviser are to render administrative advice to the superintendent of schools and to other officers and employees of the school district such other administrative duties as may be assigned by the superintendent of schools and the governing board of the district, and to assist the legal counsel of the district in the preparation and conduct of school district litigation. The employee shall have been admitted to practice law in the state, and shall not be required to have any certification qualifications.