Former Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) is officially teaming up with Alston & Bird, the law firm announced Wednesday.

“Alston & Bird is immensely pleased to have a man of Billy Tauzin’s ability, experience and drive join our legislative practice,” Robert Jones, who heads Alston & Bird’s legislative and public policy practice, said in a statement. “I don’t think there’s a member of Congress — past or present — who doesn’t know Billy’s reputation as a dedicated, hard fighter for whatever task he assumes.”

Tauzin, the former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, spent five years at the helm of the drug industry’s chief lobbying group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. He left PhRMA over the summer and formed Tauzin Consultants with his son, Thomas Tauzin. Tauzin Consultants recently moved into Alston & Bird’s offices in Washington, D.C.

Former Rep. Tauzin, who famously switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, was a founder of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats. He changed parties in 1995 after Republicans won control of the House in the 1994 elections.

“Alston & Bird is one of the nation’s most highly regarded law firms,” Tauzin said in a statement.

The firm already has a roster of big-name lobbyists, including former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) and its most recent addition before Tauzin: ex-Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.).

“I am extremely pleased to be invited to work with such a distinguished practice as Special Legislative Counsel,” Tauzin said. “I look forward to addressing client challenges with Senator Bob Dole, Congressman Earl Pomeroy, and the many outstanding lawyers and staff at Alston & Bird.”

The firm did not disclose the terms of the deal, but Tauzin was among the highest-paid PhRMA executives. In 2009, for example, he made more than $4.5 million in total compensation.