In 1996 Ralph Praeger left a national firm after 17 years as a partner to establish R. Praeger & Associates, a firm that specialized in property law with a focus on project development.

By the early 2000's the firm was experiencing substantial growth, expanding to provide services to business, including structuring, partnerships and joint ventures, due diligence, acquisitions and disposals and mining and resources. In these areas they could draw on their existing property expertise in town planning, tenure issue, complex easements and construction and Dispute Resolution to service client needs in each of the property and business divisions.

Having joined the firm in 1999, Richard Ellem became partner in 2004 to head up the Dispute Resolution Group. The use of the expression Dispute Resolution as opposed to the traditional Litigation has been intentional and reflects Richard's and the firm's desire to explore all options when matters are in dispute including negotiation, mediation and litigation.