By Jenny Yu.  

Attendees of the 2026 IIBEC Convention gained insights, education and networking opportunities. 

On March 12-15, 2026, the 2026 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show delivered on its promise to bring together roofing and building enclosure professionals for education, collaboration and innovation. In an episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Brian Pallasch, EVP and CEO of the International Institute of Building Encloser Consultants (IIBEC), about the key takeaways that continue to shape how contractors, consultants and manufacturers work together. 

For Brian, one central theme for the conference was collaboration. “It really is about the partnership,” Brian stated. “When the contractor, the architect, the building enclosure consultant and the manufacturer work together, it’s to the benefit of the owner and the building. It’s a team.” As building systems grow more complex, this team approach is becoming essential across the industry. 

Brian also emphasized that IIBEC members play a critical role in ensuring quality and performance. “Our members are there to help the owner, the roofing contractor and the manufacturer get the job done — well done and right,” he said. That focus on quality was evident in both the educational sessions and conversations happening on the trade show floor. 

In addition, another key topic present throughout the conference and trade show was the long-term durability of building performance. “The idea of commissioning is, as buildings get more complex, you want to make sure that plans are actually being followed on the job site,” Brian explained, adding that building owners are increasingly focused on results: “They want to make sure that the building that they paid for is the building that they’re getting.” 

The Coffee Shops™ was thrilled to be part of such a successful event, recording live interviews that highlighted the innovation, learning and networking in strong supply. One standout moment included a Coffee Conversations® sponsored by Western Colloid Fluid Applied Roofing and Coating Systems, featuring a panel of industry experts who discussed the factors shaping the future of the roofing and building enclosure industry. 

“We had Lauren Morley, owner and president of R3NG Roofing and Gutters; Greg Hlavaty,  president of Western Colloid; and two amazing consultants, Sean Connolly and Dustin Smoot,” Megan Ellsworth of The Coffee Shops shared. “It was a fabulous conversation.” 

Other highlights included a state-of-the-industry address by RCS Influencer and Adams & Reese LLP Partner Trent Cotney; a live demo showcasing the strength of USG Securock® cover boards; and visits with Johns Manville and Polyglass at their hospitality booths. 

Overall, as the industry continues to evolve, IIBEC remains a hub for innovation, connection and professional growth. 

Listen to the full podcast to hear more insights about the 2026 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show.

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 partner at Adams and Reese law firm. Here’s what the April 2026 brief highlighted.  

1 – Compliance stakes raise with an E-Verify law 

Ohio recently enacted House Bill 246, otherwise known as the E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act. Originally signed in December of 2025, this law “covers nonresidential construction contractors, subcontractors at any tier and labor brokers that hire employees for covered nonresidential construction projects.”  

What does it mean? The covered employers must run new employees through E-verify unless a limited exception applies. If the employee receives a final nonconfirmation, the employer must terminate employment. 

What this means for contractors: If you are performing nonresidential construction work in Ohio, it is crucial to review your hiring processes to confirm E-Verify compliance and ensure that your record keeping is accurate as to avoid violations, which can lead to “monetary penalties, disqualification from public contracting, and in some cases license consequences for knowingly employing unauthorized workers.” 

2 – Duty to inquire court case 

In a case between Korte Construction Co. And the Secretary of the Army, a Federal Circuit court was asked to look at an issue of Korte needed to install chilled water improvements as part of a project. Korte argued that this improvement was not shown in the drawings as they were not detailed enough and they are not required to do this. Opposingly, the Army was seeking a refund of roughly $493,000 for the lack of chilled water improvements. 

At the core of this issue is solicitation. As Trent wrote, “The main issue was whether the solicitation, read as a whole, required Korte to perform the chilled water work. A related issue was inconsistency between the specifications and drawings which created a patent ambiguity.” The recent result of this case? The Federal Circuit found that the specifications and drawings together unambiguously called for the chilled water improvements and that Korte’s interpretation was “not reasonable.”  

What this means for contractors: This case is a reminder of the importance of reading solicitations (specifications, drawings, etc.) as a whole rather than individuals. Further, it highlights the importance of raising the issue of inconsistent, incomplete and/or unclear plans prior to a bid.  

3 – Water intrusion contract provision 

Water intrusion is one of the most common and expensive issues in the roofing industry. It is also a frequent source of dispute as most contracts don’t properly address temporary dry-in obligations.  

What this means for contractors: In order to avoid these disputes, contractors should consider adding a provision to their contracts that specifically addresses water intrusion and temporary dry-in obligations. Trent recommends something like this:  

Contractor shall take commercially reasonable measures to provide temporary dry-in and protect only those portions of the Work directly opened or disturbed by Contractor during performance of its scope. Contractor’s obligation is limited to the exercise of reasonable care under the circumstances then existing, taking into account the stage of construction, weather conditions, available access, project sequencing, occupancy constraints, and the condition of the existing structure. Contractor does not guarantee or warrant that the Project, the building envelope, or any portion of the premises will remain watertight or free from water intrusion during the course of construction.* 

*Read the whole provision.

4 – What softening confidence means legally 

The current uneven economy is having ripple effects in the roofing industry. Where some projects are growing in popularity, such as data centers, others are weakening due to recession concerns. In fact, “In AGC’s 2026 outlook, contractors reported noticeably dampened expectations compared with the prior year, driven in part by concern over the broader economy and the possibility of a downturn.” 

What this means for contractors: To navigate this softening confidence, contractors should treat this time as a contract discipline moment. In other words, this is the time to "review price escalation language, clarify tariff and procurement risk, tighten notice and claim procedures, preserve suspension and termination rights, and confirm that payment, delay, and force majeure provisions match present market conditions.” 

Read the full brief online.

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney explains the importance of thorough, purposeful and consistent legal documentation. 

When it comes to getting legal advice about the roofing industry, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better person to talk to than Trent Cotney. Trent has decades of experience in roofing litigation and arbitration. He is a partner at the Adams and Reese law firm as well as general counsel for leading roofing associations like the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA).  

He provided some crucial advice during a Read Listen Watch® episode all about navigating the legal side of roofing, specifically creating contracts that protect your company properly. The throughline of Trent’s advice was to be thorough, purposeful and consistent in your documentation. He explained, “I review hundreds upon hundreds of roofing contracts a month and one of the biggest mistakes I see is a tendency among contractors, especially in residential, to think less is more like, I don't want to scare away customers.”  

This misconception can often lead to issues down the line when contractors face issues and don’t have the appropriate provisions outlined. And it is a misconception, as Trent put it:  

From the owner perspective, I'm focused typically on two things, and so is every customer. It's reputation and price. As a lawyer I look at the terms and conditions, but really that’s just because I’m a lawyer and even then, when I came to my position at Adams and Reese, they sent me a 100 page employee manual to sign digitally and I just got on my phone and went click, click, click. If I'm doing that and I'm a lawyer, then you know homeowners are doing the same thing. 

Another issue that Trent sees come up frequently is what he calls “Frankenstein contracts.” These are contracts that “have been plugged together from bits and pieces along the way and often lead to issues like conflicting provisions or missing warnings.”  

And these issues aren’t limited to conflicts between contractors and clients, they can also crop up between owners and their subs. Trent explained, “About 85% of residential contractors use subs and about 50-60% of commercial contractors use subs. And from a contract standpoint, you need to be thorough. I always tell people to make an MSA or a master subcontract agreement. It's a document that has everything and the kitchen sink in it. You're throwing everything you can at that so that for each ensuing project you work together on after they sign it once, you can just issue a one-page notice to proceed under that same MSA.”  

Building that MSA can feel like a lot to put in one contract but, like with your clients, being thorough, purposeful and consistent in that documentation up front is key to legal success. As Trent put it, “In roofing and construction, if you show up to the job site and you do a good job and you do it consistently, you'll be successful. The same is true for managing your legal side. If you make your documents purposefully thorough and are consistent in making sure everyone is signed off, you not only will be controlling your business operationally, but also contractually. And like on the job site, doing that will lead you to success.” 

Want more legal advice from Trent? Listen to the whole RLW!

Darrick O’Dell brings over two decades of knowledge and experience in construction litigation.

Adams & Reese announces the addition of Darrick O’Dell as counsel in the firm’s Construction Practice Group in Nashville. 

With more than two decades of trial and courtroom experience, O’Dell has built a reputation for combining deep industry knowledge with strategic, business-minded guidance that drives practical results. His practice focuses on construction litigation, large-loss property damage claims, insurance coverage disputes and general liability defense. Clients turn to O’Dell for his extensive experience and wide-ranging perspective, which allows him to anticipate risk, manage exposure and provide efficient client-focused representation.

“At Adams & Reese, we hire top-level talent whose skills and knowledge strengthen our ability to deliver outstanding results for the diverse range of clients and companies we represent,” said Gif Thornton, managing partner at Adams & Reese. "Darrick’s seasoned experience in construction law and in high-stakes litigation makes him a tremendous asset to our Construction Practice Group. We are pleased to welcome him to the team, where he will provide trusted legal guidance to our clients in Nashville, across Tennessee and beyond.” 

Prior to joining Adams & Reese, O'Dell served as primary counsel on numerous multi-million-dollar cases, representing insurance carriers, self-insured businesses and contractors in high-exposure litigation matters in both jury trials and binding arbitrations. His comprehensive construction law experience spans complex defect claims, large-loss property damage, coverage analysis and contractor liability. O’Dell also served as outside general counsel for a national roofing and remodeling contractor, overseeing contract negotiation and drafting, employment compliance and litigation management across multiple jurisdictions nationwide. 

Among his notable career achievements, O'Dell obtained the dismissal of a two-million-dollar lawsuit against a general contractor through summary judgment by invoking the workers' compensation exclusive remedy defense. He also secured complete defense judgments in two consecutive jury trials, occurring within two weeks of each other, regarding a products liability case and a commercial vehicle collision matter. Additionally, he obtained the dismissal of a five-million-dollar defamation case and, in doing so, secured a significant judgment for attorney fees under the Tennessee Public Participation Act.

"Adams & Reese shares my commitment to delivering both practical and strategic counsel to clients, and I am truly excited to join this great Nashville team," said Darrick O'Dell. "The firm's depth of resources and collaborative culture will allow me to continue providing the hands-on, client-focused representation that has been the hallmark of my practice.” 

O'Dell has lived in Nashville since 1993 and is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association and the DRI Association of Lawyers Defending Businesses. He received his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and earned his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He is admitted to practice in the Tennessee State Courts and before the United States District Courts throughout Tennessee.

About Adams & Reese LLP

Adams & Reese LLP is a multidisciplinary law firm with a legacy of providing comprehensive legal services to clients across a wide range of industries. With nearly 350 attorneys and government relations advisors strategically located in 20 major cities throughout the southern and western United States, the firm serves multinational corporations, regional businesses, governmental entities, institutions and individuals in matters spanning more than 50 practice areas including corporate transactions, financial services, litigation, government relations and regulatory compliance, construction, aviation, energy, liquor and hospitality, real estate and intellectual property, among other practice areas. Founded in 1951, Adams & Reese has expanded its capabilities to meet the demands of an evolving and increasingly complex legal landscape, advising clients through challenging markets, economic cycles and landmark cases. The firm’s attorneys and government relations advisors have built a strong reputation for delivering innovative, results-driven legal counsel that is tailored to serve each client’s objectives and needs. For more information or to see a list of services, visit www.adamsandreese.com.

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney explains how strong legal foundations support roofing business growth and profitability. 

In a recent Read Listen Watch® episode, Megan Ellsworth hosted Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese for a conversation about how roofing companies should view the legal side of running a business as more than an overhead, but as a driver of profitability.  

When most roofers think about profitability, they think about sales. Trent explained, “Everybody loves sales. Sales are fun. But too often roofers get singularly focused on those top line numbers. And if you want to grow, go from one million to five million, from five million to 10 million, you need to think more than the top line numbers. You need to think about the bottom line, the net profit of your company.” And protecting that net profit is where proper legal structures and management become crucial.  

Things like paying legal fees over disputes or OSHA fines add up and can quickly harm the bottom line of your company even if your top line, your sales, stay on track. In this way, maintaining the legal side of your business becomes far more than risk mitigation, it becomes proactive protection for your business’ success. So, where do you start when it comes to building a legal system that keeps your business’ bottom line safe so that you can improve the top line and make the net profit you want?  

Start with your documents. Trent elaborated:  

A lot of contractors tell me that they don’t know where to start, they don’t know what they’re missing. And that’s natural. I always tell them to start off with reviewing their core documents. Imagine it as a triangle. At the top you have your customer contracts, subcontractor agreements, 1099 salesperson agreements, all those types of things. And then the next part is your safety documents, so manuals and toolbox talks. And last but not least is your employee set up. Think HR, employee manual, etc. 

By looking at these core documents and structures, you can make sure that you have a strong foundation of legal clarity and coverage that you can build upon as your company grows. As Trent put it, “You need to have that framework in place to be successful, avoid needing to hire lawyers or pay fines and give yourself the space to focus on sales and the other fun things that people like.” 

Listen to the whole RLW to learn more about building a legal framework that helps your roofing company grow!

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 labor challenges and changing regulations, there’s a lot to keep up with. Luckily, Trent Cotney, a lawyer and partner at Adams and Reese, has made it easy to keep up with all the changes through his monthly updates – the Cotney Briefs. Here’s what he shared in the March edition.  

1 – Independent Contractor Test 

At the end of February, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed the rescinding of the 2024 independent contractor rule and the return to a modified version of the 2021 rule. At its core, this proposal is a move towards returning to a narrower independent contractor test.  

What this means for contractors: If this rule were to pass, it would impact “overtime exposure, minimum wage obligations, recordkeeping and potential litigation risk under the Fair Labor Standards Act.” However, this is still only a proposed change. Until a final rule is adopted, contractors should focus on reviewing their subcontractor relationships, agreements and documentation.   

2 – Supreme Court tariff ruling 

Recently, the Supreme Court looked at the Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump and the consolidated V.O.S. Selections cases. These cases were challenging the tariffs that the Trump administration imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Supreme Court held that IEEPA does not give the Presidential administration the authority to impose tariffs. Rather, that responsibility and authority belongs to congress under Article I.  

What this means for contractors: This ruling does not eliminate all presidential tariff authority, especially as there are many other trade statutes that may provide pathways to presidentially authorized tariffs, it does place a significant limit on it. For contractors, this is a reminder that “tariff-related cost shocks may depend as much on statutory authority as on politics.” 

3 – Electronic communication and authorization 

In the digital era, it is becoming increasingly rare to get an in-person signature on every document. Instead, contractors often have extensive digital records of electronic customer communications and authorizations. In many ways, this has made the entire construction process more efficient, as things like quotes, change orders, approvals, scheduling updates and payment communications can be processed and approved faster.  

However, contractors must be aware that if they do not address whether these communications are binding in their contracts, they can end up in a dispute about what was actually authorized and/or approved. 

What this means for contractors: Avoiding this type of dispute is as simple as including an electronic communications and eSignature clause in your contracts. Trent recommends something similar to the following:  

The parties agree that this Agreement, any change orders, work authorizations, notices, approvals, invoices, waivers and other project-related communications or documents may be transmitted, executed and stored electronically. Electronic signatures, including signatures affixed through recognized electronic signature platforms and approvals transmitted by email or other agreed electronic means, shall be deemed valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and shall have the same force and effect as original handwritten signatures.  

The parties further agree that electronically stored copies of this Agreement and related Project documents shall be admissible for all purposes and may be relied upon as if they were original documents. Each party is responsible for maintaining accurate contact information for its authorized representatives and for safeguarding access to its electronic communication systems and signature tools. No party shall deny the validity or enforceability of a document solely because it was transmitted or executed electronically. 

4 – TCPA compliance 

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was made to protect consumers by restricting “telemarketing calls and texts made with an automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice.” To adhere to this act, the FCC requires express written consent from the consumer to receive telemarketing messages. This act also gives the consumer revocation rights, allowing them to revoke consent for messaging in any reasonable manner.  

What this means for contractors: For contractors who rely on calls and text messages for lead generation, appointment confirmation and more, it is important to “use clear written consent language, maintain opt-out procedures, scrub calling lists and train employees on when a communication crosses the line into telemarketing” in order to stay compliant.  

Read the full brief online.

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney and Jon Gardner discuss AI liability, confidentiality and how contractors can build safe, effective practices. 

As artificial intelligence (AI) grows more and more common in our everyday life, it’s important to look at it critically and understand how it can be used as a tool. Just like any other technology before it, AI has both upsides and downsides. To dive into some of the ethics and challenges behind integrating this technology, Jon Gardner of Owens Corning and Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese stopped by The Coffee Shops™ for a Read Listen Watch® (RLW) webinar. 

Trent, who is a leading lawyer in the roofing and construction industry, opened the conversation with context about where AI sits in terms of legal regulations, sharing, “The government is typically 10 to 15 years behind regulating technology, so while there are some guardrails based on case law and existing statutes, there isn’t a ton tailored specifically for AI.”  

This void in legislation has made AI kind of the wild west of technology, which can lead to some unique issues. Trent gave an example, explaining, “If a roofing contractor is using AI strictly as a chatbot, there isn't necessarily a need to disclose that. Where it becomes more of an issue is if you are using that AI to provide things like jobsite safety specifications or anything that a customer could potentially rely on.” The main difference between these two scenarios is whether the information is being used internally or for customers. This is because of deceptive and fraudulent trade practice statutes. Trent explained, “In almost every single state, there's a version of that statute which says that if you, as a contractor, are swindling a consumer by information or stuff that you put out, then you could, you know, potentially have liability. So, if you are using AI, it is important to disclose where that’s being used to avoid liability.”  

Another place where contractors need to be careful about AI is when it comes to confidential information. Jon dove into how he and his team at Owens Corning have navigated this one, sharing, “The impact can be significant, whether it's Owens Corning or any other business that provides proprietary and confidential information. If you put it in any old AI chat, it could turn out to be a problem because it's now in a publicly available resource center.” Trent added, “You need to recognize that you should not be submitting private customer data onto a site that is public. Think ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, anything like that. It's not confidential; anybody in the world could potentially get that. And, as a lawyer, I have subpoenaed ChatGPT history before. All of that is saved, even if you think you’ve deleted it.” 

What Owens Corning has done to avoid this issue is build guard rails. He explained, “At Owens Corning we have guardrails that are placed within the use of AI to ensure that no proprietary information is being placed in the public domain. That keeps our company healthy and risk-free.” 

These are just two examples of the complex challenges that AI has brought as it becomes more integrated in our lives. This is not to say AI cannot be helpful; it can make worlds of difference in things like customer follow-ups and automating lead processes. But it is a tool and like any other tool comes with upsides and downsides.  

Listen to the episode or Watch the recording to learn more about managing and integrating AI responsibly. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney on tariffs, labor, global conflict and other issues affecting roofing professionals across the country. 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth had the chance to sit down with Adams and Reese attorney and industry advocate Trent Cotney to discuss the major economic and legal issues impacting contractors across the United States. 

As of the recording of this episode, March 9, 2026, the newest concern for American contractors was the war in Iran. Trent shared a bit about the potential impacts of this ongoing situation, sharing, “Obviously, the war in Iran is causing gas prices to rise long-term. As for short-term impacts, we might soon see material costs elevate.” But this was far from the only concern. Trent continued, “I’ve digested more news since January of 2025 than I think I have the rest of my entire life. And it's because everything’s constantly changing.” 

A great example of this is the continuing tariff issues. Trent explained, “Recently, the Supreme Court decision unraveled the IEPA tariffs, which were the tariffs that the Trump administration used to justify the existing tariffs that were placed out there based on emergency powers. And there's already been some assertion of a blanket 10% tariff.” And of course, you cannot forget the immigration policy changes that have been happening lately. Trent shared, “While it’s died down in the news with the war in Iran and such, I-9 audits and ICE raids are still up. And to be clear, none of this is a red state or a blue state thing. It's in every state.” 

So, what can contractors do in the midst of this myriad of issues and uncertainties? Trent had two main pieces of advice, both related to keeping contractor operations efficient and optimized. One, review your contracts. He explained:  

"You always want to take a look at your contracts, both upstream and downstream with your customers and your subcontractors. Make sure that you've got up-to-date provisions in there, like a price acceleration provision that allows you to get more money in the event that material prices increase for whatever reason."

And two, optimize your operations for efficiency. He gave an example of what this means, explaining, “Efficiency helps you weather uncertainty. The contractors that are utilizing AI are gaining efficiencies that will help insulate them. It's getting to the point where if you are not using it, you are not going to be as competitive.

Beyond these two internal action items, contractors can work together in the face of these issues. A great way to do this is through the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s Roofing Day in D.C.! This event brings industry professionals from across the country together to advocate for the development of federal legislation and policies that support the roofing industry. Trent explained, “In construction, we don’t have blue issues or red issues. Things like tariffs and war, those impact everyone. And that’s what Roofing Day is about, it’s coming together to talk about those issues that affect us all and make the industry’s voice heard on the Hill.”  

Listen to the whole podcast or Watch the recording to hear more of Trent’s insights into the modern issues roofing professionals are facing. And for anyone interested in being a part of this year’s Roofing Day (held April 14-15, 2026), we’ve partnered with Elevate to send one professional to the event free of charge! Learn more  and enter for your chance to win.

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney explores the role of advocacy and Roofing Day 2026 in relation to protecting workers in today’s immigration climate. 

The state of the labor force in roofing and construction has always been a top issue for the industry, but the immigration policy changes of the last year have made it more of a pressing concern than ever. Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese stopped by for a Coffee Conversations webinar to discuss what contractors can do to combat these concerns.  

The state of labor and immigration today 

Since January of 2025, there has been a huge uptick in ICE (immigration and customs enforcement) activity. In relation to roofing, we’ve seen ICE raids on every type of workplace in the industry, whether it's the job site, the office or the manufacturing warehouse. This has caused a level of deep fear and concern in employees and employers. Trent shared what he’s seen:  

There's a lot of concern among contractors about how to help their employees and crews...And we have dozens upon dozens of contractors that are currently in the process of defending I-9 audits. These audits are when the government will issue a notice of inspection, and they'll ask to see your I-9s. Then, based on what they see, you could be subject to fine or, more importantly, they run the information and determine the status of your workers, and you could potentially lose workers as a result. 

Protecting your workers and business 

So, what can contractors do in 2026 to protect both their business and their crew? When it comes to protecting your crew, Trent’s advice is to make sure everyone knows their rights. He explained, “The goal is always to tell the truth and cooperate, but everyone also needs to know and assert their rights. Like, your crew has the right to remain silent, they've got the right to counsel, all those types of things. So, really helping your employees learn and understand that is one of the biggest things you can do for them.”  

As for your business, it’s important to use contract provisions to clarify things like worksite access. Trent explained, “You can't have a contract provision or something that says that if I lose workers because of ICE, you should pay me more money. But one of the things you can do is make a provision that defines the worksite as a controlled access zone.” From there, if the owner of the site allows others onto the site that cause damages or delays to work, you can submit a claim or change order based on that provision.  

While both pieces of advice from Trent are a step towards protecting your crews and business in the short-term, he is the first to point out that they are not long-term solutions to labor issues and immigration challenges. As he put it:  

Overall, it’s a frustrating situation because the U.S. has an almost a zero-tolerance policy as it relates to immigration, but also doesn't a clear-cut way to bring workers in that makes common sense. The H-2B visa process is flawed, it's still seasonal and still requires at least 6 months lead time to kind of figure it out. And I’ve worked with contractors that have tried to do employer sponsorship, which is a very bureaucratic, confusing process that can span years. And the truth is we want legal, hard workers to come here, work and pay taxes and boost our economy. 

Making long-lasting change, together 

So, how do we get to that ideal place where hard-working people can legally come experience the American Dream for themselves and our industry gets the labor it needs? Group action in support of immigration reform – like what the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is doing with Roofing Day, which will be held April 14-15, 2026.  

Roofing Day is an annual event that organizes members of the roofing industry into a group that goes to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the industry. And this year, NRCA has announced that one of the primary issues they’re going to talk about at Roofing Day is the need for immigration reform.  

Trent, who has been to most of the events since its inception in 2015, shared a bit about how this type of collective action makes actual change: 

I’ve been there, and in D.C., they don’t understand our industry. They think of roofers and imagine a guy in a pickup truck. They don’t realize that even the roof over their head was put on by a professional company. And so going there, showing them the actual people who make up our industry, telling them our stories and bringing our issues to them...It really makes a big impact. In the past, NRCA has been able to push for great tax reforms because of Roofing Day. 

Listen to the episode or Watch the recording of this Coffee Conversation to learn more about the current state of the industry. And if you’re interested in attending Roofing Day 2026, RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Elevate to give away a trip to D.C.! Learn more and enter for your chance to be a part of change.

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney shares actionable steps to protect your business, reduce risk and strengthen your bottom line. 

Join Megan Ellsworth and Trent Cotney for a discussion about how roofing companies’ legal departments are more than just overhead in a new Read Listen Watch® (RLW) on March 31, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. PT (10:30 a.m. ET).  

Trent is a lawyer who 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 is a partner at the Adams and Reese law firm, as well as their construction team lead. Additionally, he is general counsel for a variety of leading roofing associations in North America, including West Coast Roofing Contractors Association; Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association; and National Women in Roofing. 

In this webinar, Trent leans on his almost three decades of roofing litigation and arbitration to explain how risk mitigation protects the gap between gross revenue and true take-home profit. Not only will attendees leave with a better understanding of how legal departments can protect and future-proof their businesses, but they will also be given actionable steps and practices for starting the process in their company, such as:  

• A guide to key documentation for every job site manager to have at hand 
• Best practices when it comes to roofing contract formation and clauses 
• Warrant specifications and exceptions to be aware of  
• Best tips to managing liability in relations to subcontractors 
• How to prepare your team for OSHA inspections 

Overall, the legal side of roofing might not always be the most engaging part of running a roofing business, but it can be a key driver of profitability. If you want to learn practical, profit-driving legal strategies that will not only protect your company but help it thrive, this is the webinar for you.  

Register today to listen to Trent and Heidi’s live discussion on March 25, 2026 at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET).