Madrid takes consulting job, also working for Edwards

Former state Attorney General Patricia Madrid has taken a position as a consultant for a firm that represents some of the companies she took to court on behalf of New Mexico’s citizens during her time in office.

Dickstein Shapiro LLP announced today that Madrid would become an exclusive consultant for its division that works on cases involving state attorneys general. The powerhouse Washington, D.C. firm represents more than 100 of the Fortune 500 companies and has, at times, also represented states in litigation.

“Our alliance with Patricia will drive our state AG practice to new heights,” said Bernard Nash, head of Dickstein Shapiro’s state attorneys general practice. “Patricia was one of the most well-respected attorneys general in the country during her two terms. Her experience, judgment and credibility will enable us to better serve our clients.”

Madrid, a Democrat, said the job helps her stay visible and active, but it’s also something she can leave immediately if she decides to run against U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., next year, which she’s considering. The position, which involves travel around the nation, will allow her to keep living in New Mexico.

“It’s extremely lucrative and I am a lawyer, first and foremost, so I am going to enjoy this very much,” Madrid said.

Madrid, who was one of the most visible attorneys general in the nation during her eight years in office, joined a number of her peers in lawsuits against massive corporations, bringing millions of dollars from settlements into New Mexico. She said it won’t be hard to now work on the other side of such cases.

“As a lawyer, I have been trained to do every side of a particular debate,” she said. “I think it will be good to see the world from the business standpoint.”

Madrid ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., last year and lost by 861 out of more than 211,000 votes. It was a bitter campaign, and Madrid took several months to rest after the loss. She is now also working on John Edwards’ presidential campaign as a member of his finance committee.

It’s clear that, through the Edwards’ campaign and the new position, Madrid is keeping her options open and trying to remain a visible, well-connected potential candidate. I asked how the new job will influence whether she runs against Domenici in 2008 or for governor in 2010, the other position she’s considered seeking.

“It just depends on how much I like this. It depends on Domenici’s polling. One thing I’ve learned about politics over the years is many things happen that you don’t expect,” she said. “But I’m still in politics. I’m very busy on the Edwards campaign and traveling for that. That’s certainly political and has a lot of potential.”

I asked if a job with a potential Edwards’ administration, if he’s elected, is something she’ll seek.

“I certainly don’t expect it and that’s not why I’m doing this. I’m doing this because I think he’s the best man to be president,” she said. “But that’s a possibility.”

She also said the new job could help a future political run.

“I’ll be making new contacts all over the country with people who might want to support me in office,” she said. “It does keep me on the national scene.”

What people should see from her current work, she said, is that she’s not one to be counted out.

“I am a woman with a lot of energy and I’m not ready to retire,” she said.