Rob Portman, the former congressman and Bush administration official, is going back to his roots by joining the Cincinnati office of the law firm Squire, Sanders and Dempsey to practice international trade law.

But the Terrace Park Republican is by no means giving up on politics – the law firm has told him he is free to continue traveling Ohio, giving speeches and laying the groundwork for a possible 2010 run for Ohio governor or the U.S. Senate, should George Voinovich decide to retire.

The firm announced the hiring today in the following press release:

Rob Portman, who recently left the President’s cabinet as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), will join global law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. as part of the firm’s transactional and international trade practice. Prior to OMB, he served as United States Trade Representative (USTR), and for 12 years as US Congressman from Ohio’s Second Congressional District. Before his election to Congress, Portman practiced international and business law as a partner in a Cincinnati law firm. Portman will be based in Squire Sanders Cincinnati office, but will also maintain a presence in other offices, including the firm’s Washington DC office.

This new position at Squire Sanders will allow Portman to live in his hometown of Cincinnati and to stay involved with his community while working on national and international issues. Squire Sanders has a thriving Cincinnati office and, with 30 offices in 14 countries, an exceptional national and international platform.

“Rob’s extraordinary background in public service and law makes him an outstanding addition to our team,” said Mark J. Ruehlmann, managing partner of Squire Sanders’ Cincinnati office.

Portman is widely regarded as one of the finest and most thoughtful policymakers in the nation. His track record for success is largely attributed to his ability to work in a bipartisan manner to achieve consensus on a wide variety of important issues. He has been an effective champion for fiscal responsibility and has successfully legislated on issues ranging from environmental conservation and drug prevention to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reform and expanding retirement security.

“Squire Sanders provides me with the unique opportunity to join a prestigious global law firm with 30 offices worldwide while living and working in Cincinnati,” said Portman. “I am looking forward to being involved in helping multinational clients both here and abroad while maintaining the ability to be involved in national public policy issues and community projects,” said Portman.