You’ve probably seen him standing just a few steps behind the Vice President, usually wearing a sharp suit and a look of genuine pride. But if you’re wondering what does Kamala Harris husband do when the cameras aren’t flashing, the answer is a lot more than just being the nation’s first "Wife Guy."
Doug Emhoff didn't just stumble into the White House. He brought a thirty-year career as a high-stakes entertainment lawyer with him. Honestly, his transition from a Los Angeles power attorney to the first-ever Second Gentleman of the United States is one of the more interesting "career pivots" in modern political history.
The High-Stakes Career Before the White House
Before the world knew him as Doug, he was a heavy hitter in the California legal scene. We’re talking about a guy who spent decades as a litigator, eventually becoming a partner at DLA Piper.
His client list wasn't exactly small-time. He represented big names like Walmart and Merck, and even handled a famous intellectual property case involving that "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" Chihuahua. Yeah, that was him. He was making over a million dollars a year before he stepped away to support Kamala’s national ambitions.
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When Harris became Vice President, Doug did something pretty unprecedented for a political spouse of his stature: he resigned from his law firm entirely. He wanted to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. That’s a massive move. Imagine walking away from a career you built over thirty years because your spouse got a massive promotion.
His Life as the Second Gentleman
So, what does the Second Gentleman actually do all day? Since there was no blueprint—he literally had to help invent the role—Doug focused on a few core pillars:
- Combating Antisemitism: As the first Jewish spouse of a President or Vice President, this became his signature issue. He led the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.
- Access to Legal Aid: He used his background as a lawyer to push for better legal representation for people who can't afford it.
- Gender Equity: He’s been surprisingly vocal about "toxic masculinity" and the importance of men supporting women in leadership.
He also spent a lot of time traveling. He led delegations to the Olympics and attended inaugurations of foreign leaders. Basically, he acted as a high-level diplomatic surrogate for the administration.
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Where Is He Now in 2026?
Things have shifted since the 2024 election. Since Kamala Harris’s term ended in early 2025, Doug has headed back to his roots, but with a twist.
He didn't just go back to his old life. In January 2025, he joined the firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a partner. He’s currently splitting his time between Los Angeles and New York. His new role is focused on advising big corporations and boards on "consequential business challenges." That’s lawyer-speak for "helping huge companies stay out of trouble."
But he’s also kept one foot in the academic world. Doug is currently a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law at his alma mater, the USC Gould School of Law. He started there in July 2025, teaching a course on entertainment law disputes. Before that, he was doing the same thing at Georgetown Law in D.C.
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He’s basically living a double life: half high-powered attorney, half law professor. It’s a busy schedule, but it seems to suit him. He often talks about how much he loves being in the classroom and "standing up for the rule of law" with the next generation of attorneys.
Breaking Down the "First Second Gentleman" Legacy
It’s easy to dismiss the role of a political spouse as just "ribbon cutting," but Doug Emhoff changed the math. He was the first man to hold the title, and he used that platform to talk about things most male politicians avoid—like how to be a supportive partner without losing your own identity.
He often jokes that his "job" is just to support Kamala, but his actual daily calendar suggests otherwise. Whether he’s at a law firm in New York or a lecture hall in L.A., he’s remained a visible figure in American life.
Key Takeaways for Your Career
If you're looking at Doug's path for inspiration, here are a few actionable insights:
- Adaptability is King: He went from a private sector lawyer to a public figure and back again without missing a beat.
- Niche Expertise Matters: His deep knowledge of entertainment law is exactly what allowed him to transition into high-level teaching and consulting roles.
- Support Goes Both Ways: He proved that a husband can step back from a lucrative career to support his wife's success and still find a meaningful path forward afterward.
Check out the latest updates on the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism if you want to see the specific policy work he helped launch, which continues to influence government programs today.