The township trustee shall cause suit to be instituted in the name of the township for all penalties and forfeitures given by law to such township, in all cases where no other officer is specially directed to prosecute, and he may, with the consent of the township board, employ counsel to prosecute or defend any suit to which such township is a party such counsel fees to be paid out of the township funds not otherwise appropriated.
§ 65.480, RSMo