The Alabama Supreme Court is hereby authorized to hire six staff attorneys to assist that court in legal research and analysis, including the preparation of staff memoranda, and to perform such other duties as directed by the court. The staff attorneys shall be licensed to practice law in the State of Alabama and shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the court. The salaries of each staff attorney shall be fixed within the range of the proper classification of attorneys under the merit system as may be determined by the Supreme Court. Said staff attorneys shall be subject to the Merit System Act only as to the pay plan selected for them by the Supreme Court.