Douglas Michael Mancino

Douglas Mancino Obituary

May 8, 1949 - September 10, 2025 Douglas Michael Mancino, 76 passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife, Carol, and family after a brief illness on September 10, 2025. One of eight children, he was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 8, 1949 to Paul and Adele Mancino.
Doug graduated in 1971 cum laude from Kent State University and served as president of his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta.
He went on to graduate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, summa cum laude and Order of the Coif.
While at Ohio State, he was the Associate Editor of The Ohio State Law Journal.
He joined Baker Hostetler law firm in Cleveland, Ohio in 1974. In 1980 Doug joined Memel, Jacobs and Ellsworth in Los Angeles as a partner, later joining McDermott Will and Emery, and joined the Los Angeles office of Seyfarth Shaw in 2014. He was the Chair Emeritus of the firm's Health Practice Group.
He became the cornerstone of both the Tax Exempt Organizations and Health Law groups practices, bringing to bear his preeminent reputation and unmatched expertise and leadership. He was widely recognized as one of the country's leading authorities on health care and tax-exempt law.
Doug authored and co-authored five books and treatises, and more than ninety articles concerning tax-exempt organizations and healthcare issues.
His leadership and professional affiliations include among others: American Bar Association (Tax Section: past chair, Exempt Organization Committee: past council director; past vice chair-publications and editor-in-chief of The Tax Lawyer), National Center on Philanthropy and the Law, Advisory Board/Chair, Western Conference on Tax-Exempt Organizations, founding co-chair, American Health Lawyers Association (past president, Board of Directors, member).
Listed in the Best Lawyers in America for Tax Law, Healthcare Law, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Corporate Law and Corporate Governance Law. Recognized as a Senior States person in Healthcare (California by Chambers USA). Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Not-For-Profit (Nonprofit and Tax Exempt Organizations) by The Legal 500.
Doug's contributions to the profession were matched only by his generosity of spirit and unwavering commitment to civic life. Outside of his legal work, he was deeply involved in charitable and philanthropic efforts. His dedication to service reflected his character: thoughtful, principled, and deeply compassionate.
He reorganized Children's Burn Foundation in 1995, serving as Chairman of the Board for 20 years. He continued to guide the organization as Chair Emeritus. He was a dedicated member of the Board of Directors, Irvine Health Foundation, Kent State University Foundation Inc. and served as Commissioner, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Monument Authority.
Doug was a man of many interests including his passion for golf. He was a longtime member of Bel Air Country Club where he served as its General Counsel. He loved playing with his Saturday morning "golf buddies". He enjoyed being on the water on his boat, the OpusTwo, riding his Harley, The Rolling Stones, opera, loved his dogs and good times with good friends.
Most of all, he loved his family and friends. He adored his wife Carol, of 52 years, and was "Uncle Spice" to his many nieces and nephews.
He will be remembered for always being a gentleman, his brilliant mind, wit, humor and integrity.
He is survived by his wife Carol, brother Richard, sisters Fran, Denise, Diane, sister-in-law Katie, and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
If you so desire, a donation in his honor may be made to Children's Burn Foundation or to City of Hope.
Rest well, my sweet angel.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Oct. 12, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Mancino

4 Entries

Karl May

October 15, 2025

Saddened to learn of Doug's death; just got the notice from OSU law school. Condolences to Carol. Met Doug on the first day of classes at OSU law in September 1971 due to alphabetical seating. It was not Moritz College of Law way back then. We became friends and rented an apartment together during our L2 year (along with a third classmate whose last name also began with the letters "Ma" and whom Doug and I met for the same reason). Doug and I were also on the OSU Law Journal together and teammates in the L1 moot court program. We remained friends after law school, reconnecting when I moved to Cleveland a year after he started at Baker Hostetler. We both lived in Shaker Heights, would see each other on the Shaker Rapid from time to time, and would occasionally get together socially. He and Carol had the cutest little West Highland terrier named Sinbad. Doug and I were also part of a small group of skiers who would trek up to New York State early Sunday mornings in the dead of winter. One time it snowed so much during the day that they closed I-90 and we had to take country roads to get home, which took about 6 hours, but Doug, being ahead of his time, had a front-wheel drive Saab. We would not have made it home without it.

I was a bit surprised when he told me that he was moving to LA because he was so Cleveland (if you know what I mean) and was already achieving recognition as an outstanding non-profit institution tax lawyer at Baker, but I understood his reasons and I also think he could foresee that the Cleveland market was in decline. Doug was super-smart, hard-driving, focused, achievement-oriented, and uber-diligent, not only in his law school studies but in his other endeavors as well. He was driven to, and did excel in all that he attempted (an excellent skier, too, of course), so I was not at all surprised to read about his many successes and achievements in LA. Doug was funny, clever, used sarcasm adroitly but not cruelly, and was a pleasure to be with. He was an acute observer who missed nothing and lived life to the fullest. A life well-lived indeed.

Sorry that we could not maintain our friendship across the distance and the years; simply not possible after he left for the Coast. Yet, inevitably, the seasons pass the years will roll (credit Carmen Ohio). As a result, Doug is frozen in my memory at age 31. Love the old photo; that is how I remember him and always will. And thank you, OSU law, for alphabetical seating; without it I may never have had the privilege of knowing Doug.

So...good-bye old friend. May the Lord be with you, now and forever. The time that I knew you was far too short. Perhaps we will see each other again someday, and we can fill in the blanks for the many missing years.

Alan Michaels

October 13, 2025

I knew Doug from my time as dean of his law school alma mater. Doug was a stalwart supporter of Ohio State's Moritz College of Law, for which the College was very grateful, but I also came to know Doug as a charming, insightful and thoughtful friend (who also had great LA restaurant recommendations). I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with Doug. My heartfelt condolences to Carol and all of Doug's family.

Alan Michaels
Edwin M. Cooperman Chair in Law
Dean Emeritus
Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University

Chuck Pratt

October 12, 2025

Captain Doug. Safe voyage, my good friend. The world misses you.

Mary Jo Blue

October 11, 2025

Doug Mancino was such a stand out, stand up man . Over the almost 40 years I've known the Mancino's we've shared many wonderful, memorable times, and many laughs. Doug was always a wonderful counselor when I had the need to call on him. He was truly one of the most generous, giving of men, with a fine sense of humor and a steady hand on his Opus Two yacht. He will be sorely missed by all of us who treasured his friendship.
Mary-Jo Blue