Explosive allegations have surfaced about Doug Emhoff's conduct during his time at a prominent Los Angeles law firm.
According to the Daily Mail, former colleagues of Kamala Harris's husband have come forward with accusations of inappropriate and misogynistic behavior during his tenure at Venable LLP. These claims challenge Emhoff's carefully cultivated image as a feminist ally and "wife guy" promoted by Harris's presidential campaign.
According to the report, attorneys who worked with Emhoff at Venable allege he engaged in various inappropriate actions. These include yelling expletives, hosting men-only cocktail hours in the office, and showing favoritism towards young, attractive associates.
One senior former staffer claimed Emhoff boasted about yelling at a female partner to "get the f*** out of my office," later bragging to male colleagues about putting her in her place. Another ex-employee alleged that Emhoff was known for being flirtatious and would retaliate against women who didn't reciprocate by denying them desirable case assignments.
A female attorney who worked at the firm for several years reported that Emhoff organized men-only drinks nights in the office, a practice that allegedly stopped around 2010 when brought to the attention of Venable management.
These allegations come on the heels of other recent revelations about Emhoff's personal life, including claims of infidelity in his first marriage and accusations of domestic violence against a former girlfriend.
A 2019 lawsuit filed by former Venable legal secretary Marjan Rabbi against the firm and two of its LA partners also referenced Emhoff indirectly. While not named as a defendant, the lawsuit claimed Emhoff had hired an "unqualified" part-time model as his secretary "because she was young, attractive and friendly with the powerful men in the office."
The lawsuit referred to this secretary as "Katya," alleging the name became "office code" for a trophy secretary. The filing claimed one partner expressed a desire to "have [him]self a Katya," suggesting it was a widely understood euphemism within the firm.
Not all former Venable employees shared negative experiences with Emhoff. One female ex-senior staffer described him as supportive with a genuine interest in younger employees' development. A male former top partner stated Emhoff was "respected and liked" at the firm.
Emhoff joined Venable in 2006, founding the firm's LA office. He was quickly promoted to Partner-in-Charge of the LA office in 2007 and later became Managing Director of the West Coast in 2015, overseeing offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
During his time at Venable, Emhoff represented several controversial clients. These included a nightclub owner accused of sexual harassment, an international arms dealer, and pharmaceutical giant Merck in a lawsuit over its osteoporosis drug Fosamax.
The nightclub owner's sexual battery case was settled out of court. Emhoff represented an arms dealer in a dispute, with the dealer later pleading guilty to illegal arms sales. He also defended Merck in a Fosamax lawsuit, which settled for $27.7 million.
These new allegations and past representations pose a significant challenge to Emhoff's public image as a progressive ally. The claims of workplace misconduct and controversial client list stand in stark contrast to the persona cultivated by the Harris campaign. As the 2024 election approaches, these revelations may impact Harris's appeal to key demographics, particularly women voters.
