Trent Cotney

Practice Areas

Construction, Commercial Litigation, Workplace Safety and OSHA, Renewable Energy, Government Relations - State and Local

Career

Adams and Reese Partner and Construction Team Co-Leader Trent Cotney is a board-certified construction lawyer by the Florida Bar and is licensed in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming, 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 an EU arbitrator for construction related disputes.

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 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.

Professional Memberships

National Roofing Contractors Association, General Counsel, One Voice Member; International Federation for the Roofing Trades, Voting Member; Roofing Contractors Association of Washington, General Counsel; Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, General Counsel, Director; Western States Roofing Contractors Association, General Counsel; The Tile Roofing Industry Alliance, General Counsel; Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors, General Counsel, Member; National Slate Association, General Counsel, Member; National Women in Roofing, Founding Sponsor; Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, Founding Sponsor, Governor Level Contributor; ROOFPAC Political Insiders Council, Member; Roofing Technology Think Tank, General Counsel; West Coast Roofing Contractors Association, General Counsel; Chicago Roofing Contractors Association, Member; Construction Partners of Tampa Bay; Department of Business and Professional Regulation Contractor Continuing Education Lecturer; The Florida Bar – Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section; Tennessee Bar Association — Construction Law Section; Associated Builders & Contractors Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Member; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, Member; Roofing Contractors of South Florida Association, Member; Palm Beach County Contractors Association, General Counsel, Member.

Publications

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.

Personal

Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Past Board Member; University of Tampa Board of Counselors, Past Board Member; Vanderbilt University Undergraduate and School of Law, Initial Admissions Interviewer; Black Dagger Military Hunt Club, Sponsor