Cox, Castle & Nicholson announced it has elected litigation attorneys Scott Laes and Jamie Sprague to the firm’s partnership, effective January 1, 2026, as the real estate-focused law firm expands senior leadership within its disputes practice.
The firm said both attorneys handle a range of matters tied to commercial real estate and complex business litigation, including construction disputes, environmental and land use issues, insurance recovery, landlord-tenant matters, and labor and employment litigation.
Laes, based in Los Angeles, focuses on construction disputes, including defect and delay litigation, as well as business and commercial disputes, real estate and partnership disputes, landlord-tenant matters, and insurance coverage litigation in state and federal courts, according to the firm. Cox Castle said his experience includes motion practice, depositions, arbitrations, judicial reference proceedings, and bench and jury trials. The firm also noted Laes has advised clients dealing with regulatory issues following the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.
Sprague, based in Orange County, represents clients in complex commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, labor and employment matters, landlord-tenant disputes, land use litigation, and multi-plaintiff mass torts involving nuisance, trespass, negligence, and environmental claims, Cox Castle said. The firm said her clients include developers, investors, owners, and operators in sectors such as healthcare and life sciences, renewable energy, and construction. Cox Castle also highlighted her experience in trial and appellate work, including arguing before the Ninth Circuit and leading teams through trials, arbitrations, and appeals.
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“Our litigation practice is defined by its strategic, solution-driven approach to resolving disputes with efficiency and precision. Scott and Jamie exemplify that standard. They possess the skill, judgment, and experience necessary to guide clients through matters ranging from straightforward commercial conflicts to the most complex multi-party litigation. Additionally, they approach each engagement with a focus on responsiveness, clear communication, and a thorough understanding of client business goals. Their advancement to partnership strengthens our ability to deliver higher levels of service and achieve successful outcomes in courts and dispute-resolution forums nationwide.”
Mathew Wyman, Chair, Cox, Castle & Nicholson
“Scott and Jamie embody our approach to understanding clients’ legal and business objectives from the outset and crafting strategies that serve both. They deliver candid assessments, practical guidance, and the kind of partnership that earns long-term trust. Our clients rely on us not only to resolve conflicts, but to help prevent them, and Scott and Jamie have become the trusted advisors clients turn to for their most important matters.”
Dwayne McKenzie, Managing Partner, Cox, Castle & Nicholson
