Senator Kamala Harris (Photo by NOAH BERGER/AFP/Getty Images)
We know that Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has support from Biglaw. An attorney herself, even in the Democratic primaries she commanded hefty support (as defined by contribution money) from the top Biglaw firms. And now that she’s on the ticket, well they’re planning on raising even more money on behalf of the Dems.
Kirkland & Ellis partner Jonathan Henes who served as national finance chair for Harris’s presidential campaign, told Law.com excitement in Biglaw circles is high for the ticket, and he’s even planning to co-chair a fundraising event:
“The excitement is off the charts. I probably received 300-plus texts over the last 12 hours from people asking how they can get involved and how they can help,” Henes said Wednesday. “There is a groundswell of excitement and support for a Biden-Harris ticket.”
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“Kamala’s supporters are incredibly loyal, and it’s because they—like me—believe in her,” Henes said. “We were going to support Joe regardless, but the excitement of Kamala being selected is going to increase funding, increase other support, because we are just so thrilled that we’re seeing a Biden-Harris ticket.”
Of course, I’m sure it helps that Harris is married to DLA Piper partner Doug Emhoff. Henes got involved in Harris’s campaign through Emhoff, and Henes says Emhoff was instrumental in organizing lawyers’ support of Harris.
But support for Harris may go deeper than a shared profession. Peter Zeughauser, a law firm management consultant at the Zeughauser Group, also said that Biglaw’s support may be tied to her reputation as a regulator:
“Firms are going to step in and provide the usual significant support for the ticket, in part because of her background as a lawyer and a prosecutor, but also as a tough regulator,” he said. “Those are all important considerations for Big Law firms when they think about how they’re going to support.”
Whatever the reason, get ready for the Biglaw Biden/Harris fundraisers to commence.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).