Atty. David P. Waite

Atty. David P. Waite

David has over twenty-five years of land use and environmental law experience. His practice focuses on CEQA, climate change, development agreements, discretionary permits and entitlements, infrastructure agreements, public-private partnerships, subdivisions, zoning, environmental regulatory compliance, CERCLA, RCRA, and Proposition 65.

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Profile Summary

About David P. Waite at a glance

David P. Waite is a zoning, litigation, and environmental attorney based in Los Angeles, California, practicing at Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP. Educated at Georgetown University (J.D., 1986). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Land Use and Zoning Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental (2026). Serands clients in Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • David has over twenty-five years of land use and environmental law experience
  • His practice focuses on CEQA, climate change, development agreements, discretionary permits and entitlements, infrastructure agreements, public-private partnerships, subdivisions, zoning, environmental regulatory compliance, CERCLA, RCRA, and Proposition 65
  • David regularly appears before planning commissions, city councils, and other federal, state, and local government agencies on land use and regulatory matters
  • David has litigated to final judgment numerous environmental and land use disputes
  • He has represented a variety of developers, lenders and institutional investors on the environmental and land use aspects of workouts, debt restructurings, and foreclosures
  • David advises clients on transactional matters involving Brownfields and other environmentally impaired real property
  • David is a member of The Counselors of Real Estate (“CRE”)
  • He is also a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (“ACREL”)
  • He has been selected by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as one of the “Top 50 Development Attorneys” in California
  • David is actively involved in numerous Real Estate Industry associations
  • He has served as the Governance Chair and a past Chair of the Urban Land Institute's Los Angeles District Council (“ULI-LA”)
  • He is Chairman Emeritus of the Southern California Real Estate Alliance, board member of the Los Angeles Headquarters Association, board member of the Skid Row Housing Trust, and a member of the Westside Urban Forum
  • He previously served on the Advisory Board of the California Infill Builders Federation

Practice Areas Explained

David P. Waite's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David P. Waite handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Land Use & Zoning

David P. Waite is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in California →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

David P. Waite is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →

Environmental Law

Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.

David P. Waite is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Los Angeles are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Los Angeles or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about David P. Waite

Where is David P. Waite's law office located?
David P. Waite's law practice is located in Los Angeles, California. The firm is Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David P. Waite handle?
David P. Waite focuses on zoning, litigation, environmental. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
Where did David P. Waite go to law school?
David P. Waite earned their education at (J.D., 1986).
How can I contact David P. Waite for a consultation?
You can contact David P. Waite directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has David P. Waite received?
David P. Waite's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law; Best Lawyers in America — Land Use and Zoning Law; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Land Use and Zoning.

Education

J.D.
Georgetown University
- 1986

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Land Use and Zoning Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
- 2026

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