Ken Mehlman, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, will return to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, the law firm said Thursday.

Mehlman, who was the RNC chairman for two years beginning in 2005, started his legal career in 1991 as an associate in Akin Gump's D.C. office, where he practiced for three years before entering politics.
 
In his new stint with the law firm, he will work with clients on legislative, regulatory, constituency, corporate and public relations matters at the state, federal and international levels.

"As a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, I am delighted that Ken Mehlman ... will be back at Akin Gump," says Robert Strauss, the law firm's founder, in a statement. "We are a diversified and bipartisan firm, and Ken fits in perfectly."

Mehlman began his political career as legislative director to Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and later became chief of staff to Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas. From 2003 to 2004 he was campaign manager for George Bush and Dick Cheney as they won a second term.

Akin Gump has more than 900 attorneys in offices in the United States and worldwide