Frederic Warren Jacoby

Frederic Warren Jacoby, respected attorney, advisor and former Vice Chairman of Cozen O’Connor, passed away following a distinguished career that spanned more than five decades. Widely respected for his legal acumen, leadership and unwavering professionalism, Mr. Jacoby leaves behind a legacy of integrity, deep industry expertise and service to both his clients and the broader legal community.

He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, earning a B.S.E. in Accounting—an educational foundation that would later inform his sophisticated understanding of financial services and complex commercial matters. After serving his country as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army during the Vietnam War, Mr. Jacoby graduated Cum Laude from the Dickinson School of Law, where he also served as an editor of the law review. A commercial litigator by training, he built a national reputation through his work in financial services, real estate and construction law.

Mr. Jacoby spent nearly 30 years at Cozen O’Connor, where he served as Vice Chairman of the firm, Chair of the Commercial Litigation Department and Senior Adviser to the Construction Law Practice. His colleagues remember him as a steady, trusted voice, valued for his judgment and his ability to bring clarity to the most intricate disputes. He also served on the firm’s Advisory Committee, offering counsel to both its Board of Directors and Management Committee.

Before joining Cozen O’Connor, Mr. Jacoby held senior positions within AXA and its subsidiaries, guiding the development of multimillion‑dollar variable life insurance products during a time of rapid change in the financial services sector. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at Jacoby, Donner & Jacoby, the firm where he began his legal practice and honed the skills that would define his professional life.

Throughout his career, Mr. Jacoby was recognized for excellence by some of the profession’s most respected institutions. He was named to Best Lawyers in America for nearly two decades, received the Lawyer of the Year for Construction honor in 2016, was recognized as a Super Lawyer from 2006 to 2023, and earned consistent rankings from Chambers & Partners USA. His professional esteem was further underscored by the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale‑Hubbell and being named a Top Rated Litigator in 2023.

Colleagues and clients described Mr. Jacoby as a counselor of uncommon dedication—measured, thoughtful‌ and deeply committed to helping others navigate their most pressing challenges. His contributions to the profession, and to those fortunate enough to work alongside him, will continue to resonate long after his passing.

A quiet but dedicated philanthropist, Mr. Jacoby generously supported a broad range of causes, including education, medical research, animal welfare, Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish Foundation and children’s health organizations. His philanthropy demonstrated his core belief that everyone deserves a chance to achieve health, wellness and realize their potential.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Ellen Beth Jacoby; his daughters, Emily Jacoby Mercier and Hannah Jacoby‑Rupp‌ and his grandchildren, Jude Mercier and Grayson Rupp and sons-in-law Robert Mercier and Nathaniel John Rupp. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred’s name can be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children.