(a) The Association's Attorney may be brought in to represent the Association or the member at any step of the discipline or grievance procedure as defined herein.
(b) At the sole election of the Director of Law and consistent with the applicable Rules of Professional Responsibility, independent legal counsel may be retained by the City to represent members of the Association when they are sued for conduct within the scope of their employment. The Director of Law may engage outside counsel for this purpose without further Council authorization if the anticipated fees and expenses do not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). In the event the anticipated fees and expenses are estimated to exceed that amount, or if after the initial retention it becomes apparent that the fees and expenses will exceed that amount, the Director of Law shall seek Council authorization for the expenditure or additional expenditures. The outside counsel or law firm used for purposes of this provision shall be by agreement of the Law Director and the T.P.P.A.