State Sen. Darrell Steinberg to join law and lobbying firm

A week after stepping down as leader of the state Senate, Democrat Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento said Thursday that he will join the law and lobbying firm of Greenberg Traurig LLP on Dec. 1, a day after he leaves office.

Steinberg will be chairman of the firm’s California Government Law and Policy Practice, although state law prohibits him from lobbying state officials for one year after he leaves office.

“Our clients want the deep understanding of state and local governance that Senator Steinberg will bring after decades of public service, including the last several years at the focal point of California government,” said Richard Rosenbaum, the firm’s chief executive officer, in a statement.

The firm has provided lobbying at the Capitol during the last two years on behalf of some 40 clients including the American Chemistry Council, the California Solar Energy Industries Assn., brewer MillerCoors, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., the Poker Players Alliance, casino operator Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. and the Walt Disney Co.

Steinberg said in a statement that he is excited to join the law firm.

“I want to combine my knowledge and experience with the Greenberg Traurig platform to find lasting solutions for the challenges and opportunities facing our clients throughout the state,” he said.

The senator will also establish the The Steinberg Institute for Advancing Mental Health Policy to work on building “a full network of community services and support for people living with mental illness,” the law firm said in an announcement.