Ex-Rep. Rogan Becomes Partner in D.C. Law Firm

Former Rep. James Rogan of Glendale announced Friday that he will become a partner in a Washington law firm, but supporters are still working behind the scenes to have him considered for a presidential appointment as director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Rogan joined Venable, Baetjer, Howard & Civiletti, where he will work on issues including legislative matters.

“I talked to a lot of law firms. One of the things that attracted me to this firm was they covered a whole gamut of issues that interest me,” Rogan said. “And down the road they are looking at opening a California office.”

The law firm has 400 attorneys with specialists in legislative law, intellectual property, technology, government contracts and trade regulation, among other areas.

“Jim Rogan gives our firm immediate expertise in the legislative arena,” said Venable Chairman Benjamin Civiletti, a former U.S. attorney general under President Carter. “His many talents advance our vision to offer broad-based legal services to our many fine clients in Washington.”

Meanwhile, Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Assn. of America confirmed that he has conveyed support for a Rogan appointment to people “close to” the Bush administration.

“I think he would be superb for that job,” said Valenti, the film industry’s top lobbyist. “He understands the issue of intellectual property rights and the other complex issues that anyone in that job would have to know.”

Valenti, who endorsed Rogan in the last election, cited Rogan’s work on a subcommittee involving intellectual property rights.

Rogan, a Republican, isn’t ruling out accepting a federal appointment if one is offered, but said he has not been approached by the Bush administration.

Rogan lost his reelection bid for the 27th Congressional District last year to Democrat Adam Schiff in one of the most expensive congressional races in history. A House manager during the impeachment of President Clinton, Rogan was targeted by Democrats for defeat.