Ever since Democratic presidential nominee
Joe Biden announced that U.S. Sen. Kamala
Harris of California would be his running
mate, the spotlight has been on the senator
and her family.
This interest definitely extends to her husband,
Douglas Emhoff, who is a partner at the law
firm DLA Piper in Los Angeles.
Interestingly enough, Emhoff is licensed to
practice law in both California and Washington,
D.C., which is super convenient for the family
if they need to make a big move come January
2021.
There's even another DLA Piper office in the
nation's capital.
"I'm kinda doing my legal work and deal with
all these issues for clients that have come
up, and she's trying to save the world, so."
But things are actually not that simple when
it comes to Emhoff's career, especially if
his wife ends up becoming the vice president
of the United States.
As The New York Times reported, DLA Piper
has multiple clients with government interests,
which could translate to a conflict of interest
for Harris if she and Biden win the election.
Kathleen Clark, a law professor and expert
in ethics, spoke to The Washington Post about
the possible conflicts of interest that could
arise if Emhoff remained with the firm in
the event Harris becomes the vice president.
Clark stated,
"You don't want federal officials exercising
discretion in a way to benefit the vice president's
spouse or his clients."
To avoid this, Emhoff has taken a leave of
absence, according to a rep for the law firm
who spoke to The New York Times.
The decision came a year after Emhoff gushed
to The Hollywood Reporter in March 2019 about
his work, saying,
"It's great to have [my practice,] because
it's something that I love and I'm good at."
The Washington Post reported that Emhoff has
worked with clients that included "some of
the biggest names in Hollywood" throughout
his time at DLA Piper, as well as "large domestic
and international corporations and some of
today's highest profile individuals and influencers."
Emhoff's leave of absence is only temporary
as of August 2020, most likely pending the
2020 election results.
But it seems Emhoff is anticipating something
more permanent, as Law360 reported that he
has been in the process of transferring his
clients to other lawyers at the firm.
Don Fox, who worked in the Office of Government
Ethics in the Obama administration, explained
that federal laws do not require the spouses
of presidential and vice-presidential candidates
to disclose their clients.
But the candidates themselves must name all
the clients who have paid them at least $5,000.
Fox added,
"I'm sure it never occurred to drafters of
that law in 1978 that a partner in a major
international law firm would be the spouse
of a president or vice president.
It is probably worth Congress taking another
look at the law that is currently in place."
Legalities aside, Emhoff seems to be taking
the changes in stride.
Aaron H. Jacoby, "an old friend and former
law partner," told The New York Times that
Emhoff is enjoying his foray into national
politics, saying,
"I think he is having a good time."
It's unclear how Emhoff will spend his days
if Harris does become the VP, but it's worth
mentioning Dr. Jill Biden continued to teach
while her husband was vice president from
2009 to 2017.
In the meantime, both Emhoff and Jill Biden
will continue their roles supporting their
spouses during the election, which Emhoff
is clearly proud to do.
In June 2020, The Nation correspondent Elie
Mystal tweeted,
"So...a reality of my existence is that my
wife is better at her job than I am at mine.
Usually, she keeps that to herself, but during
COVID, I have to sit around all day and listen
to her be smarter than me.
I gotta say, it's pretty hot.
I don't want her to go back to the office."
Emhoff replied,
"Hi Elie, We should definitely compare working
from home with your spouse notes.
Best, Doug."
That wasn't Emhoff's only supportive spouse
social media post.
In July 2019, when Harris was in the midst
of her run for the Democratic presidential
nomination, he shared a photo with Chasten
Buttigieg, the husband of former presidential
hopeful Pete Buttigieg.
With it, Emhoff wrote,
"Sometimes the only person you can talk to
about going through this as a spouse, is someone
going through this as a spouse!"
"We were a good couple goin' in, then I think
we came out of it like, you know…"
"Awww."
Check out one of our newest videos right here!
Plus, even more Nicki Swift videos about political
figures are coming soon.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the
bell so you don't miss a single one.
