One week out of Washington, Doug Emhoff returns to legal career

Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff is joining the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, the firm announced Monday, picking up the legal career he put on pause when his wife, former Vice President Kamala Harris, joined the 2020 Democratic ticket.

Emhoff will advise the global firm’s corporate clients on crises such as “sensitive investigations” and “complex litigation,” the firm said, and will split his time between Los Angeles and New York.

Willkie employs over 1,200 attorneys worldwide and is one of the country’s 50 highest grossing law firms, with $1.5 billion in revenue in 2023, according to the American Lawyer. Its clients include U.S. and international financial services companies, accounting firms, insurance and reinsurance companies, and media companies.

Emhoff worked in corporate law for nearly three decades before Harris was elected vice president. In 2000, he co-founded a boutique law firm, which he sold in 2006. He left his partner role at DLA Piper in 2020 after his wife was inaugurated, having stepped aside from his work there during her campaign.

His law career focused largely within the entertainment, sports and media industries. Among some of his previous notable clients are Spotify, Lionsgate and former NFL player Willie Gault. He’s also taught entertainment law at Georgetown University’s law school.

While Willkie’s announcement draws mostly on Emhoff’s legal career, it also boasts his White House experience. As second gentleman, Emhoff represented the United States at diplomatic events like the 2024 Olympics in Paris and helped lead the Biden administration’s work to tackle antisemitism. He also helped raise over $1 billion for his wife’s presidential campaign last year.

“Doug is trusted by business leaders around the world who have counted on him over the years as an advisor and counselor as they have navigated some of the most complex and dynamic challenges in high-stakes situations,” said Matthew Feldman, chair of Willkie. “His deep knowledge of global markets, policy and the law will be an invaluable resource to our firm’s teams and our clients.”