Doug Emhoff

Who Is Doug Emhoff?

Doug Emhoff, born in Brooklyn, New York, has built a distinguished career as a lawyer since the early 1990s. He has held partnerships at prominent law firms such as Venable LLP and DLA Piper, where he represented a variety of high-profile clients in notable legal cases. Emhoff is also recognized for his marriage to Vice President Kamala Harris, marking him as the first husband and Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president.

Early Life and Education

Douglas Craig Emhoff was born on October 13, 1964, to Barbara and Mike Emhoff, a women’s shoe designer. He spent his early years in New Jersey, alongside his older sister, Jamie, and younger brother, Andy, before relocating to California at the age of 17. Emhoff graduated from Agoura High School in 1982, where he contributed to the school newspaper and participated in various activities, including tennis and skiing.

He pursued higher education at California State University, Northridge, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. Emhoff later obtained his Juris Doctor from the USC Gould School of Law in 1990.

Law Career

Emhoff began his legal career as an associate at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and later at Bingham McCutchen. In the late 1990s, he joined Belin Rawlings & Badal, where he became a partner and gained significant experience in entertainment law through his work with Hollywood Video and other industry clients. In 2000, he co-founded Whitwell Jacoby Emhoff and subsequently integrated their commercial litigation practice into Venable LLP.

Throughout his career, Emhoff has been involved in several high-profile cases, including a legal battle over the rights to the famous Taco Bell chihuahua and representing major corporations such as Merck and Dolarian Capital. In 2015, he was appointed managing director of Venable’s West Coast operations after helping to establish the firm’s San Francisco branch.

In 2017, Emhoff joined DLA Piper as a partner, focusing on intellectual property within its media, sport, and entertainment division. Although he was not professionally affiliated with the firm’s lobbying clientele, he took a leave of absence in August 2020 to mitigate potential conflicts of interest during his wife Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential campaign, ultimately announcing his departure from Venable by Inauguration Day in January 2021.

First Marriage and Children

Doug Emhoff married film producer Kerstin Mackin in 1992. Together, they welcomed two children: son Cole and daughter Ella, both of whom are named after jazz legends John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald. After 16 years of marriage, Emhoff and Mackin divorced.

Marriage to Kamala Harris

Emhoff’s relationship with Kamala Harris began in 2013, facilitated by a mutual friend and a client of his. At that time, Harris was serving as the Attorney General of California. Their relationship developed steadily, culminating in Emhoff’s proposal in March 2014. The couple married on August 22, 2014, at the Santa Barbara courthouse, where Harris’ sister, Maya, officiated the ceremony, which beautifully blended elements of traditional Hindu and Jewish customs.

Harris has expressed how well she connected with Cole and Ella, who affectionately dubbed her “Momala.” Additionally, she developed a strong friendship with Emhoff’s ex-wife, highlighting the harmonious nature of their “modern family.”

Campaigning and 2020 Election

Although Emhoff has described himself as “not overly political,” he became actively involved in his wife’s campaign during her successful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2016. His extensive network within the legal and entertainment sectors proved invaluable for fundraising efforts. However, some scrutiny arose due to Harris’ decision not to investigate alleged fraudulent practices at Herbalife, a company represented by Emhoff’s law firm at the time.

Emhoff returned to the role of political spouse during Harris’ presidential campaign in early 2019. He formed a friendship with Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Democratic competitor Pete Buttigieg, and garnered attention for his composed handling of a protestor who confronted Harris on stage in June of that year.

After Harris was selected as the running mate for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in August 2020, Emhoff ramped up his campaign efforts. His appearances alongside Jill Biden and his active social media presence under the handle @DougHive drew notable attention. Emhoff was present to witness his wife’s celebratory call to Biden when their electoral victory was announced on November 7, 2020. This historic event marked Harris as the first woman, Black person, and Asian American to hold the vice presidency, making Emhoff the first husband and Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president.

Interests

In addition to his family and political engagements, Emhoff is a sought-after speaker for the nonprofit Association of Independent Commercial Producers. He has been actively involved in civic and charitable initiatives focusing on legal aid, social justice, and child welfare. Emhoff also enjoys golf and fantasy football, and he takes pride in his role as a sous-chef in his wife’s culinary pursuits.