Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Md.) will be leaving Congress early to join the law firm Dickstein Shapiro in June.

Wynn, who lost a primary in February to activist Donna Edwards, will be a partner in the firm’s Government Law and Strategy Group, advising clients on issues before the federal government.

Dickstein Shapiro announced Wynn’s hiring within minutes of his retirement announcement.

“We are quite excited to have him join us,” Andy Zausner, the firm’s head of the Governmental Law and Strategy Group, said in an interview. “He’s been a remarkable member for the last 16 years, and he has long-standing ties to many of the partners here, having been classmates of theirs at Georgetown Law School.”

Wynn’s early exit could lead to a special election, which the lawmaker tried to cast that as a good thing.

If Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) wants to declare a special election, he must name a date within 10 days of Wynn’s exit. State law also allows him to decline to, since Wynn’s exit comes after the general election primary. The seat would remain vacant until it is filled in the general election.

“My leaving early will also allow our Democratic nominee, Donna Edwards, the opportunity to successfully navigate a special election and be sworn in this summer,” Wynn said. “This will not only give her seniority in the incoming Congressional Class of ’09 but, more importantly, will allow her to get off to a fast start in serving the citizens of our community. I offer her my best wishes and stand ready to assist in any way possible.”

Wynn fell to Edwards 59-37 in a lopsided rematch of their tight 2006 campaign.

He had said after his primary loss that he intended to remain in Congress until his eighth term came to an end.

“I want to thank you and I look forward to serving out the remainder my term in Congress,” Wynn said in a post-primary note on his campaign website. “There is much work to be done and I wish you well.”