Former U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor plans to join the law firm Venable, according to three people with knowledge of the lobbying industry.

Pryor, an Arkansas Democrat, had been one of the most sought-after veterans of Congress by firms since he lost re-election in November to Republican Tom Cotton. Firms believed his experience serving on six Senate committees, including Appropriations and Commerce, Science and Transportation, would make him valuable to corporate clients.