Jan 14 (Reuters) - U.S. law firm Steptoe said Tuesday it

has hired the leader of A&O Shearman's political law group, days

before President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sworn in for a

new term.

Claire Rajan has joined Steptoe as a partner in its

Washington, D.C., office, the firm said. Rajan's practice

involves advising banks, asset managers, energy companies and

technology firms before different government agencies.

Rajan represented Alphabet's Google in proceedings before

the Federal Elections Commission, where she previously worked

for seven years until 2012.

She then worked for Allen & Overy for 12 years until the

London-founded law firm completed its 2024 merger with New

York-based Shearman & Sterling.

An A&O Shearman spokesperson did not immediately respond to

a request for comment.

Rajan's arrival at Steptoe comes as Republicans have taken

control of both chambers of Congress and Trump, a Republican, is

poised to re-take the White House.

She said she expects to see a continued increase in

congressional investigations into the private sector, and

expects the Trump administration will proactively enforce laws

touching on geopolitics and national security like the Foreign

Corrupt Practices Act, which are a key part of her practice.

Rajan said she opted to join Steptoe due to its Washington

roots and the firm's familiarity with the federal government and

"Washington machinations."

Rajan declined to discuss her other clients, but said she

expects most of them to join her at Steptoe.