INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana is joining a Washington D.C. lobbying firm.

Akin Gump announced Wednesday that the Democrat would be a partner in its public law and policy group starting next month. He will advise clients in the financial services, defense and health care industries.

Donnelly represented the South Bend area in the U.S. House for six years before winning election to the Senate in 2012. He lost his re-election bid to Republican Mike Braun in November.

Donnelly cited Akin Gump's bipartisan team in a statement and said "joining the firm was an easy decision." A spokesperson for the firm says Donnelly will still teach classes at the University of Notre Dame and live in Indiana. Donnelly is leading two one-credit courses at the school this semester.

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