WASHINGTON—Former American International Group Inc. general counsel Anastasia Kelly has joined the Washington office of law firm DLA Piper as counsel.

Ms. Kelly resigned from New York-based AIG in December in protest over federal salary caps imposed on executives of companies that took government bailout funds.

At AIG, Ms. Kelly most recently served as vice chairman in charge of legal compliance, regulatory, human resources, communications, government relations and public relations.

She had joined AIG in 2006 as executive vp, general counsel and senior regulatory and compliance officer after the departure of AIG Chairman and CEO Maurice R. Greenberg. Ms. Kelly was named vice chairman in January 2009.

Ms. Kelly came to AIG from MCI/WorldCom Inc., where she was executive vp and general counsel. Prior to that, she was senior vp and general counsel of Sears Roebuck & Co. She also has served as senior vp, general counsel and corporate secretary at Fannie Mae.

Ms. Kelly was replaced at AIG last month by Thomas Russo, who was named executive vp for legal compliance, regulatory affairs and government affairs and general counsel.

DLA Piper global chairman Francis B. Burch said in a statement, “We have known and worked closely with (Ms. Kelly) for many years in a variety of different contexts.

“It would be difficult to identify another lawyer in this country with more complex corporate governance and board-crisis experience, or more character, grit and determination,” said Mr. Burch.

“She has a well-earned reputation as the go-to counsel for companies in difficult circumstances and she will be a tremendous asset for our clients as they navigate this volatile market and these challenging times.”

Ms. Kelly was named as one of Business Insurance’s Women to Watch in 2006.