New claims emerge about Doug Emhoff's behavior at a prominent Los Angeles law firm.
According to Daily Mail, Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, is facing serious allegations of workplace misconduct from his time at Venable LLP in Los Angeles.
Former colleagues have come forward with claims of inappropriate and misogynistic behavior, potentially tarnishing Emhoff's carefully cultivated image as a feminist ally.
According to the report, attorneys who worked with Emhoff at Venable allege he engaged in concerning behavior, including yelling expletives, hosting men-only office cocktail hours, and showing favoritism towards young, attractive female associates. These claims paint a starkly different picture from Emhoff's public persona as the nation's first Second Gentleman.
One senior former staffer claimed Emhoff boasted about yelling at a female partner to "get the f*** out of my office," later telling male colleagues he had "put her in her place." This incident reportedly shocked management when Emhoff bragged about it.
Former colleagues describe a work environment where Emhoff's behavior had significant professional consequences. A female ex-staffer alleged that not responding positively to Emhoff's flirtations could result in being denied desirable case assignments or having stricter deadlines imposed.
Another woman who worked at the firm for several years reported that Emhoff organized men-only drinks events in the office on Friday evenings. This practice allegedly continued until around 2010, when it was brought to the attention of Venable management.
A junior attorney who worked under Emhoff claimed he showed preferential treatment to "young, pretty girls," particularly when it came to prestigious events. She described instances where Emhoff would arrange for these favored employees to ride with him in a limousine to social functions.
The Daily Mail report also references a 2019 lawsuit filed by former Venable legal secretary Marjan Rabbi, alleging sex discrimination by other partners in the Los Angeles office. While Emhoff was not named as a defendant, the lawsuit mentioned him in connection with hiring practices.
Rabbi's complaint claimed Emhoff had hired an "unqualified" part-time model as a legal secretary "because she was young, attractive and friendly with the powerful men in the office." The lawsuit alleged that "Katya" became office code for a "trophy secretary."
Some former employees did report positive experiences with Emhoff. One female ex-senior staffer described him as supportive and interested in developing younger talent at the firm. A male former partner stated that Emhoff was generally "respected and liked."
Doug Emhoff joined Venable in 2006, quickly rising to leadership positions within the firm's Los Angeles office. He left Venable in 2017 to join DLA Piper, taking a leave of absence in 2020 when his wife joined the Biden presidential ticket. These new allegations follow recent reports by the Daily Mail about Emhoff's personal life, including claims of infidelity in his first marriage and an accusation that he struck an ex-girlfriend in 2012.
The Second Gentleman's office has not responded to requests for comment on these latest workplace misconduct allegations. The claims threaten to undermine Emhoff's public image as a feminist ally and supportive spouse to the Vice President. As the story develops, it may have implications for Emhoff's reputation and the broader narrative surrounding the Harris-Emhoff partnership in public life.
