Douglas Emhoff, the former Second Gentleman, will return to his alma mater, the USC Gould School of Law, as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law starting July 1, 2025, the university announced on Monday.
A Homecoming for Emhoff
Emhoff, who earned his JD from USC Gould in 1990, will bring over three decades of legal experience to his role. He expressed his excitement about returning to Los Angeles and sharing his journey with the next generation of law students.
“It is great to be back home in Los Angeles, and I am excited and honored to return to USC Gould, where my legal journey began,” Emhoff said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to share my experiences with the next generation and hearing from them in the vibrant academic community at USC.”
Previous Teaching Experience
Before his appointment at USC, Emhoff taught entertainment law at Georgetown University while living in Washington, D.C., alongside his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris. His teaching experience and involvement in the legal field will be a valuable addition to the USC Gould community.
Emhoff’s Continued Commitment to USC and Legal Education
Over the years, Emhoff has remained actively involved with USC Gould by mentoring students, participating in mock interviews, and offering guidance to graduates in their post-graduate careers.
According to USC Gould representatives, Emhoff’s appointment highlights the school’s commitment to providing students with access to faculty members who are leaders in their fields.
“Emhoff’s appointment underscores USC Gould’s commitment to providing students access and opportunities to learn from faculty who are renowned leaders at the forefront of legal practice,” the university said in a statement.
A Focus on Justice and Legal Principles
In his statement, Emhoff emphasized the importance of instilling key legal principles in the next generation of lawyers. “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,” he said.