Rob Lowe is heading for the private sector.

The West Wing's outgoing deputy communications director is close to cinching a deal with NBC to produce and star in a new legal ensemble drama called Lyon's Den, according to Daily Variety.

Lowe would play a young, idealistic attorney in a crusty law firm who struggles to make a difference and cement his own reputation apart from his high-powered state-senator dad.

The news seems to indicate Lowe won't be returning to the Oval Office anytime soon.

After failing to win a substantial raise from The West Wing's producers and seeing his role decreased, the ex-Brat Packer decided to exit the political drama. To avoid a replay, Lowe reportedly built into his agreement a provision that awards him a plus-sized payday even if NBC fails to put Den on the air.

However, should the Peacock pick up the lawyer drama, Lowe could wind up earning substantially more than the $75,000 per episode he made through four seasons of Wing--Variety puts the weekly paycheck in the six-figure realm. As a producer, Lowe would also reap additional profits.

The pending deal would seem to be a win-win for both Lowe and NBC. Lowe would continue to resurrect his career as the star of his own show, while NBC would prevent one of its major stars from bolting to another network.

Ever since Lowe announced he was leaving The West Wing, rival networks have been wooing him for starring vehicles.

Ironically, the actor has been MIA from the White House in recent weeks, thrust to the background in the current storylines because of his coming departure next month.

His character, Sam Seaborn, has played such a small part in President Bartlett's administration this season that Lowe had his face printed on a milk carton with all of Seaborn's vital statistics and sent it to cast members, producers and NBC execs for a laugh.

The half-gallon jug states that Seaborn has been "Missing since Christmas Episode 2002" and was "Last Seen, Edison Field, upper deck"--a reference to Lowe attending last year's World Series. It then beseeches tipsters to "please call [Lowe's manager] Bernie Brillstein if you've seen this man."

Aside from his TV wheelings and dealings, Lowe has been making headlines again for his more notorious featured role--the sex video he made of himself with an underage girl during the 1988 Democratic convention in Atlanta. A copy of the much circulated tape was among the items found when the cops conducted a kiddie-porn raid on the home of actor Paul "Pee-wee Herman" Reubens.

As for Lyon's Den, if all goes according to plan, the pilot should air this fall on NBC.