Former RI Democratic chairman Bill Lynch joining Adler, Pollock & Sheehan

After almost 20 years with McIntyre, Tate & Lynch, former state Democratic chairman William J. “Bill” Lynch is leaving the firm that bears his name to embarking on what he calls “a new adventure” — joining Adler, Pollock & Sheehan as counsel, effective October 3.

Lynch, part of a four-way Democratic primary last year in a First Congressional District race won by US Representative David N. Cicilline, would not rule out a possible return to politics one day. But Lynch sounds like his focus will be on his legal career for some time to come. (The voluble former party chairman declined to handicap the outlook for Cicilline to retain his seat next year, in what could be a rocky contest.)

“At APS, I’ll have an opportunity to expand the scope of my practice,” says Lynch, party of a prominent political family from Pawtucket that includes former attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Patrick Lynch. “There’s life outside of politics, and it’s not all bad.”

In an e-mail to friends and colleagues, Lynch notes:

APS is a larger law firm with over 70 lawyers actively practicing in over 25 areas. It is a firm with a tremendous national reputation which will provide me with additional resources and personnel to assist me in servicing clients with varied legal needs.

Patrick Lynch has also focused on his private law practice since bowing out of last year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, recently hiring three former state prosecutors. Yet Patrick Lynch also has a strong war chest in case his interests lead him back to politics.