Cable veteran Doug Jacobs has joined the law firm of Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP.
Most recently executive vice president and senior counsel of A+E Television Networks, Jacobs is now apartner in ithe firm's New York office, where he principally focuses on matters involving the cable television industry and the evolving digital media universe.
Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard provides transactional services for clients in connection with feature film, documentaries, cable, broadcast television, theatre, music, publishing, dance, photography, visual arts, fashion, software, advertising, licensing and online technologies. It also offers acumen in copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights, as well as manages clients’ trademark portfolios..
“We are delighted to welcome Doug to the firm,” said partner Stephen Sheppard. “Doug’s vast experience with the legal issues affecting the cable industry is hard to match. Having participated in the extraordinary growth of cable over the past two decades, Doug is ideally positioned to counsel clients on the major issues now roiling the industry – including over-the-top content distribution, system consolidation, and international expansion. Given Doug’s broad range of experience, bringing him on board is a unique opportunity for the firm. And given the high regard in which he’s held in our profession and our industry, we are proud and excited to be announcing his arrival.”
Noted Jacobs: “I’m very excited to be joining Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard. The firm already possesses an impressive list of lawyers deeply versed in most every aspect of the entertainment practice – in fact, several of my new partners have themselves been general counsel of substantial media companies. As General Counsel at Court TV and A+E, I had the pleasure of working with Cowan DeBaets as outside counsel on an ongoing basis, and have consistently been impressed by the high level of the firm’s expertise across a range of issues.”
During his seven years as general counsel, Jacobs managed AETN’s legal and business affairs team, and among other matters, oversaw the acquisition of the Lifetime branded channels.
His career has also included stints as executive vice president and general counsel at Court TV, vice president and deputy general counsel at CBS and vice president of CBS Sports.
In addition to his legal practice, Jacobs is an adjunct professor at Rutgers University School of Law.
