RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Bill Mims will leave public service in January when the state's new attorney general takes over.

Hunton & Williams announced Tuesday that Mims will join the firm's administrative law group to practice in government relations. Mims was named attorney general earlier this year when Bob McDonnell decided to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.

"I am pleased to be joining Hunton & Williams," said Mims. "I look forward to serving clients in Virginia, Washington, and nationwide. The firm's core values of excellence, integrity, and public service provide an excellent work culture."

Legislators named Mims attorney general in February to complete McDonnell's term. Mims had served as McDonnell's chief deputy.

McDonnell, a Repulican was elected governor last week, and Republican Ken Cuccinelli was elected attorney general.

Mims served in the state House of Delates from 1992-1997, then in the state Senate from 1998-2005. He was also chief of staff to U.S. Rep Frank Wolf.

The government relations team represents clients' interests at all levels of local, regional, national, and cross-border governing bodies in the United States and abroad.

"We are privileged to have someone of Bill's caliber join our firm," said Wally Martinez, the firm's managing partner. "Bill will be representing clients whose interests are affected by the legislative and executive branches of various state governments and the federal government, particularly in health care, competition, consumer protection, and energy."

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.