The legal edge at IRE 2026

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney shares legal insights on pressing issues like immigration enforcement and industry regulations.  

This year has brought a variety of unique challenges to the roofing and construction industries. From immigration enforcement crackdowns to shifting tariffs, it’s a lot to keep track of! Luckily, Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese will be breaking down these topics at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE)!  

If you haven’t already heard of Trent, he is a partner and the construction team leader at Adams and Reese, LLP. He is licensed in ten different states and focuses his practice of construction litigation and arbitration. In other words, around the country, Trent is the go-to person for questions relating to OSHA defense, lien law, bond law, construction document drafting/review, bid protests and more!  

Not only does he actively represent people across the construction industry, including but not limited to contractors, suppliers, architects and manufacturers, but he also serves as a general counsel for a variety of industry associations including the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association (FRSA), National Slate Association (NSA), Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA). He is also the author of multiple best-selling books, Defense for the Construction Industry and OSHA Defense: Know Your Rights. 

His IRE 2026 education sessions include participation in the “Industry Outlook and Opportunities” general session and hosting of the “Navigating Immigration Regulations in Roofing” conference session.  

The general session will feature Trent alongside other industry leaders from organizations like the NRCA and BNP Media. Hosted on Tuesday, January 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m., they will be discussing “the compelling data points that reveal exciting opportunities and provide strategic understanding of industry projections for residential and commercial roofing through 2026 and beyond.” 

As for Trent’s conference session, he will be hosting it with his Adams and Reese colleague Benjamin Briggs on Thursday, January 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This session promises to equip attendees with “the knowledge and tools needed to confidently navigate I-9 audits and unexpected worksite enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).” 

Don’t miss out on powerful, game-changing insights! Make sure to register for IRE 2026 and add both of Trent’s sessions to your show planner.