Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband’s former law firm refused to commit to dropping Russian-state-owned companies as its client.

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff joined DLA Piper as a partner in its Intellectual Property and Technology practice and its Media, Sports and Entertainment sector based in its Los Angeles and Washington, DC, offices. Emhoff departed the firm, which has represented several pharmaceutical companies and Chinese Communist Party-led companies, shortly after the 2020 election.

Amidst Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has prompted many American companies to cease operations in Russia, global law firms including DLA Piper have come under increased scrutiny.

A recent Bloomberg article inquired with several leading law firms about the status of their Russian clientele.

Many firms committed to either “cutting” or “reviewing” ties with Russian state-linked clients, while DLA Piper, which retains an office in Moscow, failed to do so.

It is unclear whether Emhoff himself ever worked for any Russian state-linked individuals or companies; however, the DLA Piper website reveals that the broader firm has.

“Our experienced restructuring team in Russia counsels clients on all aspects of restructuring and insolvency and bankruptcy, whether in anticipation of them or in dealing with their consequences,” explains an overview of the firm’s practice. The firm also appears to have worked on behalf of the Bank of Moscow, which previously counted the Russian government as one of its primary owners before a host of fraud scandals led to a hostile takeover by VTB Banks

“Bank of Moscow – Advising on the acquisition of various distressed assets with a value of up to US$ 750 million, including secured and unsecured loans to Russian borrowers. This is a great example of our ability to continue to assist major lenders throughout the economic downturn,” notes the DLA Piper website.

DLA Piper has also repeatedly advised Sberbank, a Russian majority state-owned banking and financial services company, on an acquisition of a gas station company and online video platform.

Russia is not the only foreign country DLA Piper has worked for, as The National Pulse has previously revealed the firm’s deep ties – both financially and through its employees – to the Chinese Communist Party.