J. Scott "Scott" Alexander

Scott Alexander served as the managing partner of Murphy Austin from 2012 to 2024. Scott practices business and commercial litigation throughout all California state and federal courts, with a primary emphasis in construction and real estate litigation, public contracts and complex contract disputes.

Scott routinely represents public entities, private owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and architects and engineers on a broad array of issues within the construction industry, including contractor licensing matters, bid protests, prosecution and defense of impact, delay and disruption claims, defective construction claims, complex contract disputes, negligence and tort claims, false claims, and mechanics’ lien, stop notice and bond claim actions. Scott has represented clients on numerous multi-million dollar disputes and complex cases involving airports, commercial structures, hospitals and healthcare facilities, hotels, jails and detention facilities, parks and recreational facilities, schools and educational facilities, sports facilities, railway projects, restaurants, transportation and other infrastructure projects, water/wastewater distribution projects and treatment facilities, and warehouses.

Scott’s broad experiences on public (both state and federal) and private projects have provided him with critical background in the areas of design and engineering standards, construction management, construction means and methods, and the presentation and defense of construction claims.

During his legal career, Scott has attained considerable trial, writ, arbitration, and mediation experience. He has also appeared and submitted briefs before the California Courts of Appeal.

In addition to his litigation practice, Scott has significant experience drafting and negotiating all types of public and private project construction contracts, including design-build and energy service performance contracts, and related construction documentation across various construction project delivery systems.

Scott presently serves as general counsel to both a chamber of commerce and a travel and tourism organization located within the Sacramento region.

Scott received his J.D., with distinction, from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1997. Prior to receiving his law degree, Scott facilitated municipal finance transactions and drafted related legislation for the California Housing Finance Agency. He graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics.

Prior to joining Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP in January 1999, Scott was an associate in the Business and Tort Litigation Group with Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant & Hannegan, LLP.

Scott is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated lawyer. He is listed in the 2024 and 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America for excellence in three practice areas: Construction Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate Litigation. Scott is also listed in the 2020 through 2024 editions of Northern California Super Lawyers for excellence in construction litigation.

Scott is a frequent speaker and presenter on a wide array of construction and construction litigation related topics.