Essex County’s Jacobson Named Director of NJ Division of Law

Veteran litigator Jeffrey S. Jacobson was named as the director of the Division of Law Monday, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced.

Jacobson, 44, was most recently a litigation partner at the firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York City. His work focused on consumer and securities class action cases, and on the electronic discovery challenges presented by complex litigation and investigative matters, according to Hoffman. Jacobson also served as an active member of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Team.

“After 18 years as a lawyer in the private sector, it is an honor to be able to serve the citizens of New Jersey alongside the talented and dedicated professionals of the citizens' law firm— the Division of Law,” said Jacobson, of Montclair. “I am excited to begin this new chapter in my legal career, and am grateful to Acting Attorney General Hoffman for providing me the opportunity.” 

Jacobson is recognized for his expertise in the areas of securities litigation, data protection and privacy, and has extensive experience appearing in the federal courts, as well as in New Jersey’s trial-level and appellate courts, Hoffman said. In addition to his litigation duties at Debevoise & Plimpton, he oversaw the firm’s 200-member legal support staff, developed training programs for litigation associates and was a member of the firm’s Hiring and Technology Committees.   

"Jeffrey Jacobson is an outstanding attorney who has established himself not only as a first-rate trial lawyer, but an excellent leader," said Hoffman. "His extensive knowledge and experience, particularly in such areas as data protection and privacy, will serve the Division of Law well as it confronts the litigation challenges of the future on behalf of New Jersey citizens."

As part of its statutory mission, the Division of Law provides legal representation and counsel to departments, boards, offices, commissions and other entities of state government, as well as its officers and employees. The division represents the State in all legal matters, including actions to enforce the law, defend state statutes and protect state interests in contractual matters. 

Jacobson joined the Debevoise firm in 1997 and became a partner in 2005. He received his law degree from the Columbia University School of Law in 1996. He holds both a master’s degree in governmental administration and a bachelor of arts in American politics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Jacobson has written extensively on class action and e-discovery strategies for such publications as the New York Law Journal, Class Action Litigation Report and Product Liability Law 360. He is a member of the advisory board of the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists, has been recognized for his securities litigation excellence in the IFLR Benchmark Litigation Guide, and was recommended in 2013 by The Legal 500 U.S. for securities litigation, as well as for data protection and privacy. 

Jacobson is admitted to the bars of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth and D.C. Circuits. Prior to entering the private practice of law, Jacobson served as Assistant to the Commissioner and acting public affairs officer for the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Streets.

Married and the father of two daughters, Jacobson lives in Montclair. 

In announcing Jacobson’s appointment as the new Division of Law Director, Acting Attorney General Hoffman also thanked Deputy Director Robert T. Lougy, who served as Acting Director following the departure of former Director Christopher S. Porrino in January of this year. The Acting Attorney General praised Lougy for his stellar litigation work while also guiding the division through a transitional period.