Adams and Reese LLP
At Adams and Reese, we take things personally. Our people are connected — to each other, to our clients, our families and our communities. We care deeply about the people around us.
As lawyers, it’s our business to know and understand our clients, their businesses, their current needs and their future plans.
As neighbors, our commitment to volunteerism has become a deep-rooted characteristic of our firm's personality.
IRE 2026!
Contracts, Safety and Compliance: What Contractors Face Today
In this From the Ground Up™ episode, Karol Weyman sits down with Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese to dive into some of the biggest issues shaping today’s contracting businesses. From navigating vegetation and plant management contracts to staying compliant with OSHA heat illness regulations, the conversation covers real challenges contractors face on the ground. We explore the role of PPE in keeping crews safe, the risks and benefits of 1099 versus W2 hiring, and the must-have provisions in customer contracts. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies to strengthen compliance, protect their teams and build more resilient businesses.
Law & Mortar Podcast
The Law & Mortar podcast covers all things legal related to the roofing and construction industries.
Check out these podcasts with Trent Cotney and John Kenney!
Each episode features a discussion on issues relevant to the construction industry.
Meet Trent Cotney
As an attorney, I make it my job to provide clients the resources they need to succeed in the construction industry. By combining legal acumen and business know-how, I’m able to offer them a proactive legal approach that aims to resolve their problems and eliminate risks.
Primary Practice:
Trent Cotney is a board-certified construction lawyer by the Florida Bar and is licensed in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and D.C. He focuses his practice on all aspects of construction litigation and arbitration, including OSHA defense, lien law, bond law, bid protests and construction document review and drafting. He routinely represents construction and infrastructure clients, including general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, architects, engineers, roofers, developers and others in various matters.
Trent is recognized by his peers throughout the construction industry as one of the leading attorneys in his field of practice. He has received numerous honors and distinctions because of his dedication to the legal profession and his expertise in construction and infrastructure law.
Before joining Adams and Reese, Trent founded and served as the CEO of Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, named a Top 50 Construction Law Firm by Construction Executive Magazine. With over 20 offices, Cotney Attorneys & Consultants serviced the needs of business, infrastructure and construction clients throughout the United States, Canada and internationally.
In addition to nearly 25 years of assisting his clients in their legal matters, Trent is a zealous advocate for the international commercial roofing industry. He serves as general counsel for more than 10 trade associations and organizations, including the National Roofing Contractors Association, Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association, National Slate Association, Roofing Technology Think Tank, Western States Roofing Contractors Association and several other industry associations.
Trent has published more than 1,000 articles in 100 different local, regional and national publications on such topics as construction mediation, arbitration, negligent design, delay damages, contract provisions and defective workmanship. He is the editor and primary author of two Amazon best-selling books, OSHA Defense for the Construction Industry and OSHA Defense: Know Your Rights. The books provide contractors, trades, design professionals, suppliers, manufacturers and others in the industry with an understanding of their rights during an OSHA inspection as well as critical defenses to use after an OSHA citation has been issued.
Trent is a frequent guest on nationally and regionally broadcast podcasts and regularly speaks at events across the globe on topics related to construction and infrastructure law.
Meet Ben Briggs
I view my role as equal parts counselor and advocate. As counselor, I advise clients regarding the law and their strategic options, and as advocate, I aggressively defend or prosecute their legal positions. But in either role, my focus remains the ‘big picture’ and the client’s underlying objectives.
Primary Practice:
Benjamin S. Briggs counsels and represents clients in all aspects of labor and employment law, including matters pertaining to wage and hour, discrimination and retaliation claims, risk mitigation, human resources training and internal audits, drafting and enforcing employment contracts, restrictive covenants, separation agreements and workplace rules and policies.
Ben has received several accolades in labor and employment law, including Top Lawyers, Employment Law: Management by Tampa Magazine, and Legal Elite Up & Comer by Florida Trend. He is recognized by his peers among Florida Super Lawyers® Rising Stars.
Latest Promotions and Rebates
Get your copy of OSHA Defense!
The second biggest threat to the construction industry, behind the lack of skilled labor, is the unchecked expansion of regulatory agencies. Recent government expansion has granted the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) the authority it needs to single-handedly put contractors out of business through targeting, and repeat or excessive ...
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Hit the books this fall!
We might not all be going back to school this fall, but we can still hit the books! One of the most challenging parts of starting a roofing project is sorting out the legal side of things. From contracts and invoices to warranties and insurance, it can be very overwhelming.
That's ...
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Attorney Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese LLP Offers Free Contract Audit Services to Members of Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network
Trent Cotney and the Adams and Reese LLP team set the standard for providing high-quality legal expertise within the roofing industry. As a global leader in advocacy for construction professionals, his knowledge and experience protect the best interests of roofing contractors nationwide.
Whether you require project-specific advice or need a broader ...
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Latest Contests and Games
Get your copy of OSHA Defense!
The second biggest threat to the construction industry, behind the lack of skilled labor, is the unchecked expansion of regulatory agencies. Recent government expansion has granted the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) the authority it needs to single-handedly put contractors out of business through targeting, and repeat or excessive ...
View Contest or Game
Hit the books this fall!
We might not all be going back to school this fall, but we can still hit the books! One of the most challenging parts of starting a roofing project is sorting out the legal side of things. From contracts and invoices to warranties and insurance, it can be very overwhelming.
That's ...
View Contest or Game
Latest Spanish Content
Construyendo comunidades más fuertes
Por Jessica Bravo.
Lee este artículo para conocer cómo, con esfuerzo y buena voluntad, todo es posible.
En este episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, Jessica Bravo conversa con Gabriel Pinilla, de Adams & Reese, sobre cómo la firma está empoderando a contratistas latinos y a dueños de pequeñas ...
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Gabriel Pinilla - Construyendo Comunidades Más Fuertes
En este episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, la conductora Jessica Bravo conversa con Gabriel Pinilla, de Adams & Reese, sobre cómo la firma está empoderando a contratistas latinos y dueños de pequeñas empresas mediante asesoría legal y participación comunitaria. Gabriel comparte su inspiradora trayectoria en el ámbito legal, ...
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Día 3: Sesiones y eventos esenciales en IRE 2025
Por Anna Lockhart, traducido por Jessica Bravo.
¡No te pierdas estas sesiones que tendrán lugar el viernes en IRE 2025!
International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2025 está a la vuelta de la esquina y los participantes están haciendo planes para asistir a sesiones y eventos interesantes. ¿Ya has echado un ...
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Latest International Content
Last call for IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention!
By Emma Peterson.
Join The Coffee Shops™ crew and our industry partners in Sacramento for four days of education, innovation and industry connection.
The Coffee Shops™ crew is putting the finishing touches on our travel plans to get to Sacramento, California March 12–15, 2026 for the International Institute of Building ...
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How President Trump’s proposed tariffs could affect the construction industry
By Trent Cotney, Adams and Reese.
While the full impact of the tariffs remains to be seen, proactive measures can help mitigate risks and ensure continued operational resilience.
If you have read the news lately, you know that President Trump plans to reintroduce tariffs on goods imported from key trading partners. These ...
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Latest Canada Content
How President Trump’s proposed tariffs could affect the construction industry
By Trent Cotney, Adams and Reese.
While the full impact of the tariffs remains to be seen, proactive measures can help mitigate risks and ensure continued operational resilience.
If you have read the news lately, you know that President Trump plans to reintroduce tariffs on goods imported from key trading partners. These ...
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Latest Podcasts
What Contractors Need to Watch in 2026
In this episode of Roofing Road Trips, Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with attorney and industry advocate Trent Cotney to discuss the major economic, legal and workforce issues shaping the roofing industry in 2026. From global events affecting fuel and material costs to tariff uncertainty and immigration enforcement, they explore ...
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Gabriel Pinilla - Construyendo Comunidades Más Fuertes
En este episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, la conductora Jessica Bravo conversa con Gabriel Pinilla, de Adams & Reese, sobre cómo la firma está empoderando a contratistas latinos y dueños de pequeñas empresas mediante asesoría legal y participación comunitaria. Gabriel comparte su inspiradora trayectoria en el ámbito legal, ...
Listen to the Podcast
The State of Roofing Today
In this Coffee Conversations®, Megan Ellsworth is joined by Trent Cotney of Adams & Reese for a timely discussion on the state of the roofing industry. The conversation explores how immigration policy and economic conditions are influencing labor availability, project planning and contractor decision-making. They break down the importance of ...
Listen to the Podcast
Latest Webinars
The State of Roofing Today
In this Coffee Conversations®, Megan Ellsworth is joined by Trent Cotney of Adams & Reese for a timely discussion on the state of the roofing industry. The conversation explores how immigration policy and economic conditions are influencing labor availability, project planning and contractor decision-making. They break down the importance of ...
Watch the Webinar
Lunch & Learn: Worksite Enforcement Awareness: What you and Your Crews Need to Know - February 11
NTRCA and RCAT are teaming up for an important Extended Lunch & Learn for North Texas Roofing Contractors. Join Trent Cotney, Partner with Adams & Reese, LLP and legal counsel for NRCA and other roofing associations, as he focuses on what worksite enforcement may look like on roofing jobs and ...
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Building a Strong Workforce in a Changing Labor Market
In this Coffee Conversations, sponsored by Southeast Staffing Agency, Megan Ellsworth is joined by Trent Cotney, Jared Ribble and Teresa Ramirez to explore the evolving landscape of HR, recruitment and retention in today’s workforce. Panelists will discuss how organizations can identify the right talent, build strong employer brands and create ...
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Read Listen Watch - Educational Content
The Profit Protection Playbook for Contractors
In this Read Listen Watch®, Megan Ellsworth is joined by Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese to break down how roofing companies should view their legal department not as overhead but as a driver of profitability. They explore how risk mitigation protects the gap between gross revenue and true take-home ...
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Legal Must-knows for Roofers
In this Read Listen Watch® (RLW), join host Karen Edwards and legal expert Ashlee B. Poplin, partner at Adams & Reese with extensive experience in civil litigation and construction law, as they discuss the essential legal aspects of starting and running a roofing business. From choosing the best legal structure ...
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Navigating the Legal Side of Subcrews
In this Read Listen Watch®, Karen Edwards meets with Trent Cotney of Adams & Reese L.L.P. and Justin Bedwell of Camouflage Roofing & Construction, LLC to talk about the current impact of subcrews in the roofing industry. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of navigating subcontractor relationships and the inherent ...
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Latest Classifieds
Contracts, Safety and Compliance: What Contractors Face Today
Tune into the latest episode of From the Ground Up™, where Karol Weyman sits down with Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese to dive into some of the biggest issues shaping today’s contracting businesses. From navigating vegetation and plant management contracts to staying compliant with OSHA heat illness regulations, the ...
View the Classified
Legal insights at IRE 2026
This year has brought a variety of unique challenges to the roofing and construction industries from immigration enforcement crackdowns to shifting tariffs. Luckily, Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese will be breaking down these topics at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE)! Trent will be a part of two sessions: ...
View the Classified
Tune in to this month’s episode of Law and Mortar
Looking to learn more about the legal, business and safety side of the roofing industry? Law and Mortar is the perfect podcast for you!
In the show, industry experts and leaders Trent Cotney and John Kenney dive into a variety of timely topics for contractors today. Trent is a partner at ...
View the Classified
Buy Online
Roofing contractors across the country face a number of difficulties, beginning during contract negotiation and often ending with disputes or warranty claims on projects. From coast to coast, I hear common themes when talking to roofing contractors—insurance premiums are too high, there is too much state and Federal regulation, and ...
Read More
The second biggest threat to the construction industry, behind the lack of skilled labor, is the unchecked expansion of regulatory agencies. Recent government expansion has granted the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) the authority it needs to single-handedly put contractors out of business through targeting, and repeat or excessive ...
Read More
Get your copy of Trent Cotney's latest book, OSHA Defense: Know Your Rights! This book is designed to be an overview of common issues frequently encountered by companies when dealing with OSHA. The goal is for employers to gain a better understanding of the basic processes and procedures that take ...
Read More
Latest Videos
The Weekly Blend - Episode 202
Join us every week to learn the latest news in the roofing, metal, coatings and outdoor living industry.
The 202nd episode of The Weekly Blend is live! Join The Coffee Shops’ COO Karen Edwards and En Español Program Coordinator Jessica Bravo, for the latest episode of this Coffee Shop original web ...
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The Weekly Blend - Episode 201
Join us every week to learn the latest news in the roofing, metal, coatings and outdoor living industry.
The 201st episode of The Weekly Blend is live! Join The Coffee Shops’ President Heidi Ellsworth and COO Karen Edwards for the latest episode of this Coffee Shop original web series.
Tune in to ...
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The Weekly Blend - Episode 196
Join us every week to learn the latest news in the roofing, metal, coatings and outdoor living industry.
The 196th episode of The Weekly Blend is live! Join The Coffee Shops’ Multimedia Manager Megan Ellsworth and En Español Program Coordinator Jessica Bravo for the latest episode of this Coffee Shop original ...
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