Insights
Navigating the complexities of construction law is crucial for any contractor looking to build a resilient business. With decades of experience, Trent Cotney’s blog is your essential resource for staying ahead of legal challenges and ensuring your business is equipped for long-term success.
Construction Contracts in an Era of Tariff, Supply Chain, and Regulatory Volatility
Construction contractors continue to operate in an environment where pricing certainty can disappear quickly. Material…
Construction’s Uneven Economy: Why Softening Confidence Matters Legally
Construction is not facing a uniform collapse in demand. The more accurate problem is uneven…
Reducing the Risk of ICE Stops for Construction Crews
The guidance below provides compliance‑oriented, rights‑focused measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of pretextual traffic…
Practice Safety During Hurricane Recovery
Now that Hurricane Milton has passed—and recovery from Hurricane Helene continues—Floridians are faced with cleaning…
OSHA’s Multi-Employer Worksite Policy: Knowing the Basics
If you have ever been on worksites with more than one employer, you know they…
District Court Judge Declares CTA Unconstitutional
If you are like many small businesses across the nation, you have spent the last…
Florida Court Clarifies When an Invitation to Bid Does Not Create a Subcontractor Relationship
In Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. v. Keathley, No. 2D2025-1900, the Florida Second District Court…
Federal Circuit Reinforces Duty to Inquire
Korte Construction Co. v. Secretary of the ArmyU.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit…
Florida Under State of Emergency with Hurricane Milton
With many towns and neighborhoods still recovering from Hurricane Helene, Floridians now find themselves facing…
Price Gouging Hotline Activated to Protect Hurricane Victims
As Florida continues to clean up and starts to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane…
Federal Noncompete Ban Challenged
As you may recall, in April 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a rule…
Savvy Strategies for Selling Your Construction Company
Your company has likely been your main focus for years. You have built the business…
Manufacturer System Compatibility Clause
Context: Construction contractors are often asked to install materials or systems that they did not select, design, manufacture, or test for compatibility with existing conditions….
Temporary Dry-In and Water Intrusion
Context: Water intrusion during construction is one of the most common and expensive sources of dispute in roofing, envelope, and renovation work, particularly when the…
How Tariffs Affect the Construction Industry
If you have read the news lately, you know that President Trump plans to reintroduce tariffs on goods imported from key trading partners. These measures,…
What Contractors Can Expect Under the Trump Administration
The federal contracting landscape is undergoing significant changes as the Trump administration reinstates, modifies, and rescinds numerous executive orders established during the Biden era. From…
Waiver of Consequential Damages: What You Need to Know
As you may be aware, the waiver of consequential damages provision can be fairly common in construction contracts. However, before you determine if it is…
Florida Legislation Requires New Language in Roofing Contracts
In May 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a number of bills into law, and among them was HB 939. This bill addresses several consumer protection…
Navigating ICE Raids and Worksite Inspections
The Trump White House has promised to crack down on undocumented workers, and that could…
Corporate Antitrust Compliance: Insights from the DOJ’s Updated Guidance
Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division released an updated version of its Evaluation…
How Employers Can Manage ICE Raids and Worksite Inspections
As President Trump takes action to crack down on immigration, many business owners are concerned…
Complying with the CTA Reporting Requirements
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) went into effect on January 1, 2024, and will impact…
Check Your Contract: Written Notices May Be Required
Over the years, I have often said that the party with the best paper wins…
Construction Infrastructure : Fixing Old Roads or Building New Ones?
As the ambitious $2.3 trillion infrastructure construction bill is currently being debated in Congress, many…
NLRB Restores Narrower Joint-Employer Standard: What Construction Contractors Should Know
The National Labor Relations Board has formally withdrawn its 2023 joint-employer rule and restored the…
Ohio’s New E-Verify Law Raises Compliance Stakes
Ohio has enacted a new E-Verify requirement aimed at the nonresidential construction industry. House Bill…
Navigating ICE Raids and Worksite Inspections
The Trump White House has promised to crack down on undocumented workers, and that could…
Corporate Antitrust Compliance: Insights from the DOJ’s Updated Guidance
Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division released an updated version of its Evaluation…
What Contractors Can Expect Under the Trump Administration
The federal contracting landscape is undergoing significant changes as the Trump administration reinstates, modifies, and…
How Employers Can Manage ICE Raids and Worksite Inspections
As President Trump takes action to crack down on immigration, many business owners are concerned…
How to Avoid a Ransomware Attack
Cyberattacks can happen at any time. In fact, if you have scanned the headlines lately,…
Cybersecurity Threats Are on the Rise. Is Your Construction Company Protected?
Imagine that one of your office assistants is at the end of their Friday shift….
Examining the Legalities of Construction AI
The world of artificial intelligence (AI) can be simultaneously exciting and troubling. The idea of…
Whether you own a small construction business, a midsized one, or a huge firm, if…
Whether it’s completing work on time, managing a workforce, avoiding any type of liability or…
The Future of Construction: Exoskeletons Part 2
Exoskeletons are metal frameworks that enhance the abilities of workers and reduce the risk of…
Construction Contracts in an Era of Tariff, Supply Chain, and Regulatory Volatility
Construction contractors continue to operate in an environment where pricing certainty can disappear quickly. Material…
Construction’s Uneven Economy: Why Softening Confidence Matters Legally
Construction is not facing a uniform collapse in demand. The more accurate problem is uneven…
Reducing the Risk of ICE Stops for Construction Crews
The guidance below provides compliance‑oriented, rights‑focused measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of pretextual traffic…
Florida Court Clarifies When an Invitation to Bid Does Not Create a Subcontractor Relationship
In Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. v. Keathley, No. 2D2025-1900, the Florida Second District Court…
Federal Circuit Reinforces Duty to Inquire
Korte Construction Co. v. Secretary of the ArmyU.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit…
Florida Under State of Emergency with Hurricane Milton
With many towns and neighborhoods still recovering from Hurricane Helene, Floridians now find themselves facing…
Manufacturer System Compatibility Clause
Context: Construction contractors are often asked to install materials or systems that they did not…
Temporary Dry-In and Water Intrusion
Context: Water intrusion during construction is one of the most common and expensive sources of…
How Tariffs Affect the Construction Industry
If you have read the news lately, you know that President Trump plans to reintroduce…
Navigating ICE Raids and Worksite Inspections
The Trump White House has promised to crack down on undocumented workers, and that could…
Corporate Antitrust Compliance: Insights from the DOJ’s Updated Guidance
Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division released an updated version of its Evaluation…
How Employers Can Manage ICE Raids and Worksite Inspections
As President Trump takes action to crack down on immigration, many business owners are concerned…
NLRB Restores Narrower Joint-Employer Standard: What Construction Contractors Should Know
The National Labor Relations Board has formally withdrawn its 2023 joint-employer rule and restored the…
Ohio’s New E-Verify Law Raises Compliance Stakes
Ohio has enacted a new E-Verify requirement aimed at the nonresidential construction industry. House Bill…
Navigating ICE Raids and Worksite Inspections
The Trump White House has promised to crack down on undocumented workers, and that could…
How to Avoid a Ransomware Attack
Cyberattacks can happen at any time. In fact, if you have scanned the headlines lately,…
Cybersecurity Threats Are on the Rise. Is Your Construction Company Protected?
Imagine that one of your office assistants is at the end of their Friday shift….
Examining the Legalities of Construction AI
The world of artificial intelligence (AI) can be simultaneously exciting and troubling. The idea of…