Doug Emhoff says the current “difficult moment for the legal community” is part of the reason he’s joining the University of Southern California (USC) as a law school professor.
The former second gentleman will join the faculty at USC’s Gould School of Law, his alma mater, beginning in July, the university announced Monday.
“In this difficult moment for the legal community, I believe it is more important than ever to instill in the next generation of lawyers the same principles that drove me to the legal profession: the imperative of speaking out on behalf of the vulnerable, standing up for the rule of law, defending every citizen’s fundamental rights, and always fighting for justice, without fear or favor,” Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, said in a statement.
While Emhoff didn’t mention President Trump by name, in April the commander in chief announced that his administration had struck a deal with a law firm with ties to the longtime entertainment attorney.
The agreement with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, which Emhoff joined as a partner earlier this year, stated that the firm would provide the equivalent of $100 million in pro bono legal services for causes supported by the Trump administration. Emhoff reportedly denounced the move — one of several deals struck by large legal firms with the Trump administration — which critics said was a way to avoid potential blowback from the president.
In his statement about his teaching position, Emhoff said he was “excited and honored” to return to USC’s law school where his “legal journey began.”
“In Washington, I had the privilege of not just serving as second gentleman, but also serving as a professor to law students at Georgetown University,” Emhoff, 60, said.
“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,” he said.
Emhoff’s job comes amid speculation that Harris is eyeing a California gubernatorial bid. Sources familiar with the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee’s thinking told The Hill this week that while Harris hasn’t made a final decision yet, she was giving the race strong consideration.