Former Second Gentleman Emhoff’s Law Firm Strikes Deal With Trump Admin
The law firm where Doug Emhoff, husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, is a partner has become the latest to reach an agreement with the Trump administration in alignment with the president’s policy priorities, according to a report.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that Willkie Farr & Gallagher—where Emhoff joined as a partner in January—has pledged at least $100 million in pro bono legal services during his presidency and beyond, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Trump stated that these services will be directed toward supporting veterans, Gold Star families, law enforcement personnel, and first responders.
Posting on Truth Social, his social media platform, Trump emphasized that the firm has committed to fighting antisemitism and refraining from involvement in “DEI” initiatives.
“Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP proactively reached out to President Trump and his Administration, offering their decisive commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession,” the White House stated. “The President is delivering on his promises of eradicating Partisan Lawfare in America, and restoring Liberty and Justice FOR ALL.”
A source familiar with the internal discussions indicated that Emhoff privately voiced his disapproval of the firm’s decision to collaborate with the Trump administration. However, the source was not authorized to publicly disclose details about his stance.
According to the Times, neither Harris nor Emhoff provided a response to inquiries for comment on Tuesday.
This agreement with Emhoff’s firm is the latest in a series of partnerships between the Trump White House and leading U.S. law firms—many of which the president has previously criticized for perceived liberal bias, engaging in baseless litigation, or other forms of professional misconduct.
Democratic lawmakers, along with experts in constitutional and campaign law, have expressed serious concerns over these arrangements. They warn that such agreements could erode the separation of powers established in the U.S. Constitution and threaten judicial independence.
“The actions against law firms are blatantly illegal. Capitulating just encourages going after more law firms,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law. Chemerinsky attempted to rally other law school deans to publicly denounce the administration’s practice of targeting specific firms but saw little collective action.
“The best hope was their sticking together and fighting the illegal, retributive orders,” he told the LA Times.
The head of Emhoff’s firm, which has 1,200 employees across six countries, confirmed the agreement, according to Trump’s statement.
“The substance of that agreement is consistent with our Firm’s views on access to Legal representation by clients, including pro bono clients, our commitment to complying with the Law as it relates to our employment practices, and our history of working with clients across a wide spectrum of political viewpoints,” stated Thomas M. Cerabino, the firm’s chairman, per Trump’s post.
Emhoff, 60, is a seasoned attorney with expertise in entertainment, media, and intellectual property law. He was hired in January to provide counsel to corporations, individuals, and organizations dealing with crises or adapting to evolving legal challenges, as the firm announced at the time.
According to the Times, Cerabino described Emhoff at the time of his hiring as “a trusted counselor to many global business leaders across a broad range of industries.”
Shortly before Trump’s social media post announcing the agreement on Tuesday, Emhoff spoke to students at Georgetown Law School.
“The rule of law is under attack. Democracy is under attack. And so, all of us lawyers need to do what we can to push back on that,” he stated, though he did not provide concrete data to support his claim.
“Us lawyers have always been on the front lines, fighting for civil rights, for justice. … I love being a lawyer, this is what we do: We fight for people. We fight for what’s right,” he added.