Kamala Harris’s husband Doug Emhoff to join Georgetown faculty

Incoming second gentleman Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, is set to join the faculty of Georgetown Law in January.

The law school, the nation’s largest, announced that Emhoff will serve as a distinguished visitor from practice, “drawing in part on his deep expertise in media and entertainment matters to teach related coursework, starting with ‘Entertainment Law Disputes’ in the upcoming spring semester.” He will also serve as a distinguished fellow of Georgetown Law’s Institute for Technology Law and Policy.

“I am delighted that Douglas Emhoff will be joining our faculty,” said Georgetown Law Dean William M. Treanor. “Doug is one of the nation’s leading intellectual property and business litigators, and he has a strong commitment to social justice. I know our students will greatly benefit from his experience and insight, and I am eagerly looking forward to his arrival.” 

Emhoff is an entertainment litigator with decades of legal experience. He became a partner at DLA Piper in 2017, though he took a leave of absence from the firm after Harris was tapped as President-elect Joe Biden’s running mate and will permanently leave the firm prior to Inauguration Day.

“I’ve long wanted to teach and serve the next generation of young lawyers,” Emhoff said. “I couldn’t be more excited to join the Georgetown community.” 

A transition spokesperson told The Hill that Emhoff’s role at the school “will be separate and apart from his official role as Second Gentleman, and Mr. Emhoff continues to work with the Biden-Harris transition team to develop the portfolio he will focus on to support the work of the Administration. “

Emhoff will not be the only White House spouse to hold a teaching job during the new administration. Biden’s wife, Jill Biden, is set to continue teaching classes at Northern Virginia Community College.

Updated: 1 p.m.