Former Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) has joined the law and lobbying firm DLA Piper’s government affairs practice as a partner.

Martinez, who said he decided to step down from the Senate to spend more time with his family, will work in the firm’s Washington, D.C., and Florida offices.

“Senator Martinez has served the federal government as a U.S. Senator and as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the State of Florida proudly over a long and decorated career in public service,— said Francis B. Burch Jr., global Chairman of DLA Piper, in a statement. “Senator Martinez is highly respected on both Capitol Hill and in his home state of Florida. He also has vast experience and a significant network of international contacts, particularly in Spain and in Latin America which will be a major area of growth and expansion for DLA Piper over the next year.—

Martinez added, in the statement, that the DLA Piper gig would allow him to return to private practice “while allowing me to stay close to home and my family. The firm has market-leading practices in areas like financial services, energy, real estate and defense, where I know I can make a significant contribution. Working in DLA Piper’s offices in Florida, I look forward to helping the firm grow its practice in Latin America.—

Martinez resigned his Senate seat on Sept. 9 with 16 months left in his first term. Florida GOP Gov. Charlie Crist tapped George LeMieux, his former aide, to replace Martinez in the Senate. Crist is running for the seat in 2010.