Douglas P. Jacobs

West Orange Douglas , N.J. - Jacobs After a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, Douglas P. Jacobs, Esq. passed away before dawn on Thursday October 30th 2025. He was eulogized the following day by family & friends in New Jersey and laid to rest at Cedar Park & Beth El in Paramus.

Doug's heart, mind & spirit shone as a light to his family, friends & community. His kindness, humor, wonder, intelligence, optimism, and caring friendship were a boon to all who knew him. He provided constant, loving presence to his family, including at every ballgame, recital, play, scout ceremony, birthday, b-mitzvah, graduation & wedding.

Throughout his life he leaned into his diverse interests including practicing Shorin-ryu Karate, bicycling, reading mysteries & WWII histories, and singing Songs of the Sixties. At the time of his passing, he was writing a novel and a non-fiction book.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Adele and Morton, and leaves behind his wife Rozy of 55 years, his twin brother Gregory, his daughters Lauren (Vikram) & Meredith (Gary), his grandchildren Courtney, Charlie & Casey, his nieces & nephews Lisa (Joel), Alan (Nandini), Rochelle (Brian), Jessica, Matthew, Krithika (Pete), and their children, as well as his cousins including Marshall, Harvey, Meryl (Stan), Harris (Ivy), Deb (Jeff), Adrienne, Mickey (Stacy), Rezi (Ronnie), and Heidi (Stuart).

Born at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and raised in Brooklyn, Doug attended James Madison High School, Brooklyn College, and Boston University School of Law. During his distinguished career, Doug was a groundbreaker in media litigation; a public servant in government; and a champion of cameras-in-the-courtroom legislation. He fully enjoyed his work; cared deeply for his clients & the public interest; offered his assistance to those entering his industry; and dedicated himself to every team, case, and project.

Mr. Jacobs began his impactful career as Assistant Regional Administrator at the SEC NY Office. He then held decade-long EVP and/or General Counsel roles at A+E, Court TV, and CBS, and followed that by serving as Partner at CDAS LLP and Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University School of Law. He was instrumental in networks' divestment from their parent companies, and was named in the Court TV summary judgment action seeking First Amendment permissions to gain access for cameras in court. At CBS, he represented Andy Rooney, Dan Rather, Mike Wallace & Ed Bradley, and, in CBS v. Ziff-Davis in 1990, he obtained a NY Court of Appeals landmark decision reversing 90 years of precedent requiring reliance for breach of warranty.

In Livingston & West Orange, NJ, Doug devoted time & energy to committees/boards at both of his children's schools, at his synagogue Temple Beth Shalom, and, later, at his condominium association, greatly enhancing each organization. Doug consistently shared & lived by these principles: Always move forward, never retreat; To be easily amused is a sign of great intelligence; Remain hopeful, and keep doing good for the world. He is profoundly missed by his family, friends, & communities, and his example, presence, & lessons will be long-felt and long-remembered.

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Donations in Doug's memory can be made to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org" rel="sponsored">PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org); New Israel Fund (www.nif.org); Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs (golden-dogs.org).