Attorney
Ariel R. Spires
Ms. Spires is an attorney at Cobb & Gonzalez, P.A., where she practices in the areas of business litigation, community association law, construction law, and real estate litigation. She has substantial experience litigating insurance coverage issues in both state and federal courts, with a focus on complex construction defect claims involving numerous parties. In addition, she has handled consumer protection claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA), and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Ms. Spires graduated summa cum laude from Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice while working full-time in a management role. She was named a University Scholar, appeared on the Dean’s List every semester, and received the Outstanding Student Award for the Criminal Justice program.
Ms. Spires earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2016, graduating in the top 10% of her class. She received book awards in Research & Objective Legal Writing, Litigation Practice Drafting, and Transactional Drafting. During law school, she served as a Teaching Assistant, was a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society, and held editorial board positions with both the Law Review and the Public Interest Research Bureau.
Ms. Spires is admitted to practice in Florida and the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. She is an active member of the Jacksonville Bar Association and the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association.
In her free time, Ms. Spires enjoys spending time outdoors with her two mini goldendoodles, Sophie and Chloe. She can often be found visiting local dog parks like BrewHound, Kanine Social, and Dog Wood Park. She also enjoys brunch with friends, playing trivia, and relaxing at the beach or pool.
Honors and Awards
- Super Lawyers Rising Star in Insurance Coverage, Construction Litigation, Business Litigation 2024
Admissions
- The Florida Bar, 2016
- The Jacksonville Bar Association
Education
- Florida Coastal School of Law
- Dean’s List, Dean’s Scholar, Legal Writing Teaching Assistant
- Phi Delta International Legal Honor Society, Harding Inn
- Editorial Board of the Public Interest Research Bureau
- Charleston Southern University
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- University Scholar, Dean’s List, International Dean’s List, Outstanding Student Award
PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME
- Obtained single-family home construction defect settlement in excess of $110,000.00 from subcontractor’s insurer for repair and completion damages, including reimbursement for attorney’s fees and costs.
- Obtained construction lien final judgment in favor of roofing company, including reimbursement for attorney’s fees and costs.
- Successfully litigated declaratory judgment actions related to differing interpretations of exclusions within insurance policies.
- Obtained settlement in the amount of $950,000.00 for individual against Capital One, a national Fortune 100 bank, related to TCPA and FCCPA claims.
- Successfully litigated TCPA and FCCPA claims against nationally known banks.
- Obtained final summary judgment in favor of individual homeowners in a seller’s nondisclosure matter than proceeded for nearly five years.
- Obtained partial summary judgment precluding entitlement of damages in excess of $210,000.00.
- Successfully evicted numerous holdover tenants.
- Successfully quieted title for numerous homeowners.
- Represented homeowners in easement disputes.
- Drafted and negotiated commercial lease agreements.
- Drafted and revised contracts for various business entities, such as roofing contractors, dog trainers, and landlords.
- Drafted deeds to transfer real property.
- Drafted construction liens.
- Drafted ingress and egress easements for homeowners.
- Drafted governing documents for associations, including Articles of Incorporations, Bylaws, and Declarations.
- Obtained settlement in favor of homeowner at presuit mediation for an Association’s failure to inspect, maintain, and/or replace fire-rated windows pursuant to the governing documents.
- Obtained settlement in favor of four individual homeowners at presuit mediation, including reimbursement for attorney’s fees and costs, for an Association’s failure to maintain common areas pursuant to the governing documents.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice in favor of homeowner for failure of an Association to comply with presuit conditions precedent, including full reimbursement for all attorney’s fees and costs.
- Prepared opinions of law for Associations regarding covenant enforcement on various issues related to governing documents, Florida Statute, and compliance with the same.
Professional, Trade & Philanthropic Affiliations
- The Jacksonville Bar Association
- Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association Board of Directors
- Associated Builders & Contractors – First Coast Chapter
- “Community Association Emergency Powers and Hurricane Preparedness,” July 2024
- “Homeowner’s Association Board Member Certification Course,” May 2024
- “Community Association Covenant Violations and Remedies,” March 2024
- “2024 Legislative Changes to Community Association Laws,” February 2024
- “Board Member Education Certification for HOAs and COAs,” January 2024
- “Milestone Inspections and Structural Integrity Reserves,” Webinar, November 2023
- “2023 Community Association Legislative Updates,” Webinar, September 2023
- “Emergency Powers Hurricane Preparedness,” Webinar, July 2023
- “Developer Turnover for Community Associations,” Webinar, June 2023
- “Board Member Education Certification for HOAs,” Webinar, May 2023
- “HOA Covenant Violations,” Webinar, April 2023