Teresa Pike Tomlinson, mayor of Columbus, Georgia. (Courtesy photo)

Teresa Tomlinson, the outgoing mayor of Columbus, has found a new home at Hall Booth Smith.

Tomlinson will be practicing out of the litigation defense firm's Columbus office and its Atlanta headquarters, handling complex litigation, crisis management and strategic solutions, when her second term as mayor ends in January.

“This was just the perfect fit,” said Tomlinson, who is joining the firm as a partner. “Hall Booth embraces both the litigation and the public service roles that have been so much a part of my professional life. It's a bonus that they are such great people in addition to being superb lawyers.”

Tomlinson, 53, practiced for 16 years at plaintiffs firm Pope McGlamry, becoming that firm's first female partner. In 2006, she became the executive director of MidTown Inc., a nonprofit for the redevelopment of Columbus.

She was elected Columbus' first female mayor in 2010. Columbus is a consolidated local government, so the mayor oversees both county and municipal functions. Tomlinson also served on the Georgia Municipal Association's board of directors from 2012-2016.

“Teresa is an amazingly talented attorney and strategic thinker who will play a key leadership role in the firm and help set the agenda for the future of the firm,” said Hall Booth co-founder John Hall.

“Her sharp mind and legal acumen will enhance our service to clients locally and nationally, and most importantly, her sterling character and passion for servant leadership align with the values that make HBS what it is today,” he said.

An Atlanta native and Emory University School of Law graduate, Tomlinson has been considering future political moves, including a possible run for U.S. Senate in 2020 against Republican incumbent David Perdue, according to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Tomlinson has been named one of Georgia Trend's 100 Most Influential Georgians for each of the past six years. She is a frequent commentator on political and legal issues for Georgia Public Broadcasting, MSNBC's “AM Joy Show With Joy Reed,” The Daily Beast and other outlets.

Hall Booth, which has 210 lawyers, more than doubled the size of its Columbus office almost three years ago when it added seven partners, plus other lawyers and staff from prominent Columbus firm Hatcher, Stubbs, Land, Hollis & Rothschild, which disbanded at the end of 2015.