Former Gov. Gary Locke, only a month out of office, has landed a lucrative, high-profile job with the Seattle law firm Davis Wright Tremaine.

Locke, 55, joined the firm as a partner with its China and governmental-relations practice groups. He'll be based in Seattle but will do some traveling to Asia. The law firm has more than 420 attorneys and offices in Los Angeles; New York; Washington, D.C.; and Shanghai, China, among other cities.

Locke was a hot property after leaving office, said Norman Page, who is chairman of the law firm's executive committee and helped recruit the governor. "We have been told there were two or three other prominent Seattle law firms in the bidding," he said.

Locke's new position likely offers a healthy raise above the $145,000 a year he was making as governor. Asked if Locke's new position will be more lucrative, Page said, "It would be low-class of me to talk about exactly what he'll make, but that's a fair assumption."

Locke wouldn't talk about his salary yesterday, except to say, "Money was not a consideration. I had some feelers that would have paid a heck of a lot more."

When he left the governorship Jan. 12, Locke said he didn't know what he'd be doing. About a half-dozen companies had made inquiries late last year, Locke said, but he said he had asked them to call back later.

"I said, 'Hey, let's all talk after I leave office,' " he said.

Joe Dear, Locke's chief of staff during his first term as governor, said Locke told him at one point that he was unsure what he would be doing.

"I said, 'You're the most employable guy in the United States, don't worry,' " Dear recalled.

Davis Wright Tremaine's practice spans dozens of specialties, from aviation leasing to government lobbying, and the firm's lawyers represent everyone from Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi to The Seattle Times.

The firm's practice in Asia holds a lot of appeal for Locke, who went on numerous trade missions to the region while governor. Davis Wright Tremaine was the first law firm in the country to open an office in Shanghai, where the parents of Locke's wife live part time.

"I'd like to help Washington companies and U.S. companies expand their presence in Asia," Locke said, sounding a bit like he was still sitting in the governor's office. "We have so many companies in our state from environmental-cleanup technologies to medical treatments ... that are highly valued in Asia.

"I'm just excited about joining this group. It gives me the opportunity to promote Washington companies."

Page noted that Locke, who was the first Chinese American elected governor in this country, is popular in China and has had access to top officials there.

"He's extremely well-known in China and well-regarded. On these trade missions he's gone on in the past, he's been very effective as a being a goodwill ambassador and opening doors," Page said.

Hugh Spitzer, a Seattle attorney with Foster Pepper & Shefelman, said the job sounds like a good fit for Locke.

"This makes a lot of sense," he said. "He does have considerable connections on the Pacific Rim because of the amount of trade work he did while he was governor. That's a type of work where contacts are quite helpful."

Locke, who was an undergraduate at Yale University and got his law degree from Boston University, was a King County deputy prosecutor in his early career. He said he doesn't feel rusty, although he hasn't practiced law in a decade.

State Democratic Party Chairman Paul Berendt doesn't think that will matter.

"Gary Locke is a very skilled and talented negotiator," he said. "The fact that he hasn't been practicing law in the courtroom is not relevant. There are many ways you can practice the law. I believe Gary will bring his negotiating skills and putting together complex deals to this law firm."

Locke's wife, Mona Lee Locke, will join KIRO-TV in April part time as an anchorwoman and reporter. The couple has three children.

Locke, who spoke on the telephone yesterday with a crying baby in the background, said life has gone by in a blur since he left office.

"It's gone by too quickly. I still have a list of chores I have to do around the house."

Seattle Times reporters Ralph Thomas and Christina Siderius contributed to this report. Andrew Garber: 360-943-9882 or agarber@seattletimes.com