Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is growing its bench of former top GOP Senate aides with deep knowledge of the tax cut legislation passed by Congress last year.

The firm recruited Brendan Dunn, who served as policy adviser and counsel to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to join its public law and policy practice ranks as a partner. Dunn was the Senate GOP leadership's point person on the tax reform negotiations with the House of Representatives, other factions in the Senate, the White House and the Treasury Department.

Akin Gump announced the hire Monday, one week after Zachary Rudisill, former tax counsel for Ohio U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, also joined the firm.

“These large law firms provide an incredible platform in terms of the breadth of work that is available to you,” Dunn said. “[Akin Gump has] a bipartisan reputation, which is important because nothing stays the same for long in D.C.”

Dunn said his move did not reflect his thoughts on how the U.S. Senate's balance of power could change after the November midterm elections. Instead, he was motivated by his “exhausting” last year working on the tax legislation and his recognition that he did not want to stay on the Hill for his entire career.

Dunn said he expects other top aides who worked on the tax cut legislation are evaluating their options now and could leave Congress for the private sector soon. Others, however, are unlikely to get quite the recommendation Dunn received from the majority leader, who praised him during a live session from the Senate floor last week.

“Brendan Dunn has been a key member of my leadership office team for the last six years. He has made an outsized impact as a trusted counselor and friend,” McConnell said. “If you have ever had the pleasure of witnessing Brendan in action, you will understand why he is a sought-after commodity, whether you need deep expertise on tax policy or the perfect movie quote for any occasion.”

Before working for McConnell, Dunn served as counsel and general counsel of the Senate Finance Committee, for Utah U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch. He has also worked as counsel for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Dunn noted that he expects forthcoming Treasury Department regulations in connection with the new tax legislation to produce a lot of work for him and his new colleagues. While it's easy to get lulled into believing Republicans' work on tax reform legislation is finished, Dunn said, there's still more to be done.

Dunn first shared news of his departure from the Senate on Monday via social media.

“Leaving the Senate is hard,” Dunn tweeted. “Not a week goes by that I don't receive an email from someone transitioning off the Hill. And they all say it is hard. I understand that now. The Senate is a special place, but I'm excited for Act Two.”