Doug Emhoff returns to career as private attorney

Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff is returning to his career as a private attorney after his wife, former Vice President Kamala Harris, lost the presidential election. 

A longtime entertainment attorney, Emhoff has joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a partner and will split his time between Los Angeles and New York, the law firm announced Monday. 

The announcement indicated Emhoff’s practice will advise corporations on investigations and litigation, “including matters with significant reputational concerns that are international in scope.” 

“I am delighted to be joining Willkie, where I am looking forward to working alongside trusted and innovative legal counselors,” Emhoff said in a statement. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join this talented and collaborative team.” 

Emhoff served as a litigator and trial lawyer for years before Harris came to Washington. He became a partner at DLA Piper in 2017 before taking a leave of absence once his wife was tapped as President Biden’s running mate, and Emhoff permanently left the prominent firm after the Democratic ticket won the 2020 election.

DLA Piper has a lobbying arm, but Emhoff was not a lobbyist.

During Harris’s time as vice president, Emhoff has served on the Georgetown Law faculty as a distinguished visitor from practice. Wilkie’s announcement indicated Emhoff will remain in that role. 

“Doug’s leadership and his service as a trusted counselor to many global business leaders across a broad range of industries, as well as his extensive legal expertise and business acumen, make him a tremendous asset,” Thomas Cerabino, the chair of Wilkie's, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be adding Doug to the Willkie partnership during this period of transformational firm growth.”