Legal Corner
6 new ways to install vinyl siding
By The Coffee Shops™. PEPA’s proposed new fastener table for vinyl siding installations was accepted into the building codes. Traditionally, codes have dictated that there is a single prescriptive way to install vinyl siding – 16 inches on center into the studs. However, this has been limiting for contractors in ...
Trent Cotney’s June 2026 legal updates
By Emma Peterson. From Florida to California, Trent shares key regulatory and legislative information for contractors. As a partner at Adams and Reese law firm specializing in roofing litigation and arbitration, Trent Cotney sits at the forefront of legal and regulatory changes that are impacting contractors and other roofing ...
Construction law insights and updates from May 2026
By Emma Peterson. Staying ahead of joint employer rules, bid liability, cost escalation language and more. For many contractors, managing the legal and operational side of their roofing businesses often takes a back burner to their passion for their trade and craft. However, this can cause problems down the ...
Protecting choice: Reflecting on PEPA's legislative victory for vinyl siding in Washington state
By Heidi J. Ellsworth. How industry advocacy helps preserve material choice, affordability and innovation in exterior construction. The conversation around building materials continues to evolve across North America as lawmakers, regulators and local governments weigh sustainability, affordability and performance. For manufacturers, contractors and homeowners, maintaining access to a wide range of building ...
Trent Cotney: Lawyer, educator, advocate and leader
By Emma Peterson. How Trent Cotney supports the roofing industry from the courtroom and beyond. Just last year, Trent Cotney was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 edition for his construction law and litigation work. This recognition places Trent in the top 5% of lawyers in the ...
ED releases final Workforce Pell Rule
Institutions considering Workforce Pell participation should begin reviewing program eligibility, workforce alignment documentation, state approval processes and implementation timelines under the finalized framework. The U.S. Department of Education has released its Final Rule implementing the Workforce Pell Grant program authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The Final Rule ...
Keeping up with Cotney
By Emma Peterson. The latest Cotney Brief shares April 2026 construction law insights and updates. For contractors working in roofing and construction, the Cotney Briefs are an invaluable resource to keeping up with legal and regulatory changes affecting the industry. These briefs are written by Trent Cotney, a lawyer and ...
Understanding federal material requirements
By Jesse Sanchez. How federal infrastructure rules affect material sourcing and compliance across publicly funded projects. Federal infrastructure spending comes with clear guidelines designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing and project accountability. These guidelines are also very clear when it comes to where construction materials are made. These requirements are well ...
Legal takeaways from March 2026
By Emma Peterson. Trent Cotney dives into legal updates for contractors in the latest Cotney Brief. As we move further into 2026, it becomes clear that the uncertainty of the past few years is still very much with us. From geopolitics impacting supply chains and international trading to domestic ...
Last-minute tax strategies before the filing deadline
By Jesse Sanchez. A one-month tax countdown highlights key steps taxpayers can take before filing. As the April 15 tax deadline approaches, many taxpayers assume the opportunity to make meaningful financial adjustments has already passed. Financial professionals at Exit Stage Left Advisors say that assumption is often incorrect. In the ...
