Daley Joining Local Law Firm [UPDATED]

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 1, 2011 2:00PM

Former Mayor Richard Daley's post-mayoral revenue streams keep adding up. Daley will be joining the law firm of Katten Muchin Rosenman as "of counsel" to the firm.

A press release from Katten announcing Daley's hiring said that he will "draw on his vast knowledge, experience and relationships globally to contribute to the continued growth of the firm." That's legalese for "he's gonna use his connections to be a rainmaker." The press release also said that Daley will not work on anything at the firm involving the city or its departments.

Here's what Daley had to say about joining the firm.

“I chose Katten for a number of reasons. They’re a well-managed group of talented professionals. They have an innovative yet practical approach to helping clients accomplish their goals, and they are expanding globally,” he said. “The firm also has a demonstrated commitment to giving back to the community, which is important to me.”

No one is disclosing what Daley is being paid, but it should at least complement his $184,000 annual pension, his speaking gigs, his work with his son Patrick to bring global investors to Chicago and his appointment to the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy Studies. But it's certain that he's now earning more out of office than when he was mayor. Wonder if he's thinking if he should have left office sooner?

[UPDATE 12:07 p.m.]: That part in Katten Muchin Rosenman's press release about how Daley won't be involved in firm work involving city business takes on a greater perspective. The Sun-Times reports that Katten earned $822,760 in legal fees from City Hall during Daley's time in office.

Katten was the lead negotiator in the much-ballyhooed parking meter privatization fiasco and also helped Daley engineer the privatization of the Chicago Skyway.

Birds of a feather.