Douglas Emhoff: From Brooklyn to the White House, a Trailblazing Career
Douglas Craig Emhoff, born on October 13, 1964, has carved a unique path through the legal world and into the realm of American politics. His journey, beginning in Brooklyn, New York, has led him to become a prominent figure, not only as a successful attorney but also as the first Second Gentleman of the United States. This article explores Emhoff's life, education, legal career, and his role in the political arena.
Early Life and Education: From New Jersey to California
Born to Barbara and Mike Emhoff in Brooklyn, New York, Douglas spent his early years in New Jersey with his siblings, Jamie and Andy. His father worked as a women's shoe designer. In 1969, the family moved from New York City to New Jersey, living in the Matawan area for about 12 years. Though the family is Jewish, Doug Emhoff was not very religiously observant as a child. He had his bar mitzvah there in 1977.
At the age of 17, Emhoff's family relocated to Southern California. He graduated from Agoura High School in 1982, where he contributed to the school paper and participated in tennis and skiing. In 1987, Emhoff earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at California State University, Northridge. He then enrolled in law school at the University of Southern California, where he graduated in 1990 with a J.D. degree. He later noted that becoming an attorney had been a childhood dream that was largely motivated by his dislike of bullies. In a 2024 interview with Los Angeles Lawyer magazine, Emhoff said, “I was always there to stand up [to bullies]. I just thought, ‘Wow, lawyers do that for a living! That’s a job: Standing up for other people!’ ”
A Flourishing Legal Career: From Entertainment Law to Leading Firms
Emhoff began his legal career in 1990 as an associate at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and then Bingham McCutchen. Moving on to Belin Rawlings & Badal at the end of the decade, the young attorney achieved the rank of partner and enjoyed his first extensive taste of entertainment law through his work with Hollywood Video and the industry's studios.
In 2000, Emhoff teamed with two colleagues to launch Whitwell Jacoby Emhoff. One of his highest-profile cases involved Taco Bell. The Michigan marketing firm Wrench claimed that it had invented the fast-food chain’s Chihuahua mascot (whom the firm had dubbed “Psycho Chihuahua”) and sued for breach of contract. Wrench alleged that Taco Bell had failed to compensate the company after the chain switched to advertising firm TBWA. When it was ruled that the chain owed Wrench $42 million, Taco Bell asserted that TBWA was responsible for the use of the character. Emhoff represented TBWA, and Taco Bell was ultimately held responsible for the damages.
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He eventually convinced them to incorporate their commercial litigation practice into the larger firm of Venable LLP. Emhoff subsequently joined a high-profile lawsuit over the rights to the creation of the infamous Taco Bell chihuahua, and also represented pharmaceutical behemoth Merck, arms dealer Dolarian Capital and former NFL star Willie Gault in major cases. After helping to found Venable's San Francisco branch, he was named managing director of the firm's West Coast operations in 2015.
In 2017, Emhoff became a partner at DLA Piper with a focus on intellectual property in its media, sport and entertainment division. While not professionally connected to the firm's lobbying clientele, Emhoff took a leave of absence in August 2020 to head off potential conflicts of interest during wife Harris' vice-presidential campaign and announced his intention to leave Venable by Inauguration Day in January 2021.
Emhoff is a litigator focused on media, entertainment, and intellectual property. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1990 and began his career at Pillsbury Winthrop's litigation group. He moved to Belin Rawlings & Badal, a boutique firm, in the late 1990s. Emhoff opened his own firm with Ben Whitwell in 2000, which was acquired by Venable LLP in 2006.
During his career, Emhoff has been known for serving as a trusted counselor to global businesses and leaders across a broad range of industries.
Marriage and Family Life: Building a Partnership with Kamala Harris
Emhoff married film producer Kerstin Mackin in 1992. The pair had two children, Cole Emhoff and Ella Emhoff, named after jazz greats John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald, before divorcing in 2008.
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A client and mutual friend set Emhoff up with Harris, then the attorney general of California, in 2013. The relationship progressed steadily, with Emhoff proposing in March 2014. They married less than a year later at the Santa Barbara Courthouse in 2014. Harris’ stepchildren - Ella and her brother Cole Emhoff - are named for Ella Fitzgerald and John Coltrane.
Second Gentleman of the United States: A Historic Role
With Kamala Harris's election as Vice President, Emhoff assumed the role of Second Gentleman of the United States. As the first male spouse of a vice president, Emhoff holds the distinction of being the first second gentleman. During his time as Second Gentleman, Emhoff represented the Biden-Harris Administration around the country and in diplomatic engagements around the world.
He’s already used to traveling the country championing his wife and the Biden administration’s accomplishments. Emhoff, 59, has visited 37 states and 14 countries as second gentlemen.
Emhoff has demonstrated a flair for defining the role of the nation’s first second gentleman over the past three-plus years.
Championing Key Issues
As second gentleman Emhoff has often highlighted his Jewish faith. In 2021 he and Harris attached a mezuzah to the official residence of the vice president, and on International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2023, he traveled to Auschwitz. He also has spoken out against antisemitism, especially after the start of the Israel-Hamas War.
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In addition, Emhoff has utilized his platform as second gentleman to advocate for gender equality, reproductive rights, and access to legal aid. He has also sought to raise awareness of mental health issues.
He campaigns in support of Harris in appearances ranging from Los Angeles to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, speaking out against antisemitism while fighting for gender equity and reproductive rights.
Representing the U.S. on the World Stage
During his time as Second Gentleman of the United States, Doug’s broad portfolio included traveling around the world representing the United States, including at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Women's World Cup in New Zealand, and numerous other diplomatic events.
Returning to Academia: Teaching Law at USC
After his time as Second Gentleman ended on January 20, 2025, Douglas C. Emhoff became Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law at the USC Gould School of Law. Emhoff earned his JD from USC Gould in 1990 and BA from CSU Northridge in 1987. He previously taught entertainment law and alternative dispute resolution as adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.
Emhoff, who received his law degree from USC in 1990, started the job at the USC Gould School of Law on July 1. He taught at Georgetown University’s law school while his wife served as then-President Biden’s vice president and when she was the 2024 Democratic nominee for president.
One of the best parts of my time as Second Gentleman was spending time with these students and young people all around the country - so I look forward to continuing to share my experiences with the next generation and hearing from them in the vibrant academic community at USC,” Emhoff said in a statement.
Emhoff said mentoring law students is particularly critical at this time in the nation’s history.
In March 2021, while second gentleman, Emhoff began teaching a course called "Entertainment Law Disputes" at the Georgetown University Law Center.
A Constant Presence
Emhoff, already the nation’s first second gentleman, has been a constant presence in the news. If Harris wins, he’ll become the nation’s first first gentleman. He would also be the first Jewish spouse of a president.
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