TRENT COTNEY

• Adams and Reese LLP, Tampa, FL, March 2022 to present, partner and Construction Team Leader
• Cotney Construction Law, Tampa, FL, January 2012 to March 2022, CEO
• Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A., Tampa, FL, January 2006 to January 2012, construction law shareholder and hiring partner
• Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A., Tampa, FL, April 2000 to December 2005, construction law associate
• Ruden, McCloskey, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., Tampa, FL, September 1999 to February 2000, commercial litigation associate
• Ruden, McCloskey, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May 1997 to August 1997, June 1998 to August 1998, construction law summer associate

• Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law (inaugural class)
• Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator
• Florida Supreme Court Certified Appellate Mediator
• American Arbitration Association (AAA) Construction Mediator
• Member of AAA Panel of Construction Arbitrators
• Qualified Florida Court-Appointed Arbitrator
• Department of Business & Professional Regulation Condominium Certified Mediator
• OSHA 10 Hour Safety Training Certification
• OSHA 30 Hour Safety Training Certification
• OSHA 24 Hour HAZWOPER Training

• Vanderbilt University, J.D. (Dean’s List, Best Brief Award), 1999
• Vanderbilt University, B.S., summa cum laude, high honors (Phi Beta Kappa, Dean’s List, top 1%), Alexander Heard Award, 1996

• ACQFIVE Sustainability Awards 2024
• Pinnacle Tech Insights Magazine, Top 10 Admired Leaders of 2023
• 10 Most Influential Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2022, Insights Success Magazine
• CIO Bulletin, 50 Innovators of the Year 2022
• Forbes Next 1000 (2021)
• Inc. 5000 (2021)
• CEO 100, 100 Real-World CEOs, 2021
• The 10 Most Futuristic CEOs of 2021, CIO Views
• 10 Most Successful CEOs, Industry Era Magazine, 2021
• 20 Successful CEOs to Watch Out in 2021, Industry Tech Insights
• Top 20 Pioneering CEOs in 2021, MyTechMag, 2020-2021
• Golden Adviser Award, Worldwide Financial Advisor Magazine
• Lawyers World Global Awards, 2014
• Business Excellence Award, Acquisition International Magazine, 2014
• DealMakers Country Award, 2014
• Global Award, InterContinental Finance Magazine, 2013
• Top 50 Entrepreneurs, Business Leaders Magazine,  2012

• Top 50 Construction Law Firms, Construction Executive Magazine, 2019-2024
• OSHA Defense Law Firm of the Year, Lawyer’s Monthly 2015-2018, 2021, 2022
• Lawyers Worldwide Award Magazine, Construction Law Firm of the Year, 2022
• Top 100 Lawyers, Florida Super Lawyers, 2016-2024
• Gamechangers Award, Top Construction Lawyer – US, 2023
• Tampa Style Magazine, Construction Lawyer of the Year 2023
• AI’s Leading Adviser Awards, Leading Construction Litigation and Arbitration Lawyer of the Year, Florida, 2022
• Top Texas Attorneys, Texas Monthly, 2022
• Leading Lawyers Worldwide 2022, Construction Law Firm of the Year, 2022
• Finance Monthly, Legal Awards, 2022
• Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards, Construction Law Firm of the Year – USA, 2022
• FM Legal Award, Construction Law – USA, 2022
• Lawyer of the Year, Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards, 2021
• Construction Litigation, Texas Super Lawyers, 2021, 2022
• Construction Litigation, Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2021, 2022
• Gamechangers Law Awards, 2023
• Construction Litigation, Illinois, Super Lawyers, 2021
• Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine, Five Star Lawyers, 2021, 2022
• Best International Construction Law Consulting Firm – USA, Build Construction & Engineering, 2021
• Finance Monthly – Legal Awards, Construction Law, 2021, 2023
• Ranked in Global Guide, Construction, Who’s Who Legal, 2021
• AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
• AVVO 10 out of 10, Superb Rating
• Best Florida Lawyer – OSHA Defense, Acquisition International Magazine
• Construction Law, Florida Trend, Legal Elite,2010-2022
• Top Lawyers, Tampa Magazine, 2019-2024
• Best Lawyers in America in Construction Law, 2013-2024
• Best Attorney’s Network, Construction Law
• Construction Litigation, Florida Super Lawyers, 2013-2024
• Listed in Construction Law, Chambers & Partners USA, 2013-2024
• International Who’s Who of Construction Lawyers, 2012-2024
• Acquisition International Leading Advisor Awards – Leading Construction Litigation and Arbitration Lawyer of the Year, Southeast USA, 2019
• Who’s Who Legal Thought Leader in Construction, 2018-2019
• OSHA Defense Lawyer of the Year, Finance Monthly Law Awards, 2018
• Construction Litigation Lawyer of the Year in Florida, International Advisory Experts, 2018
• American Institute of Legal Advocates, Rising Star Immigration Law, 2018
• America’s Most Honored Professionals, American Registry, 2011, 2014-2017, 2020, 2021, 2022
• International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, 2013-2018
• Most Outstanding Construction Lawyer Florida, Legal Awards Corporate Insider,2017
• Best in Construction Litigation Law Services, Global Awards CorporateLiveWire, 2017
• Excellence in Construction Dispute Resolution Law, Corporate LiveWire, 2017
• The World’s Leading Lawyers Chosen by Their Peers, Construction and Real Estate, Expert Guide, 2017
• Super Lawyers in Construction Law, Lawyers Worldwide, 2017
• Top 100 Lawyers in the World, LegalComprehensive.com, 2016-2017
• Who’s Who Registry Association Edition for Best Lawyers World Rankings, 2016-2017
• Top Lawyers in Florida, The Legal Network, 2014-2017
• Best Lawyers in America, Wall Street Journal, 2016
• Top Rated Lawyer, The American Lawyer Magazine, 2016
• Best Litigation Attorneys in Orlando, Expertise.com, , 2016
• Construction Lawyer of the Year USA, Finance Monthly, 2016
• Leading Lawyer 500 Award Winner, InterContinental Finance Magazine, 2013, 2015-2016
• Tampa Bay Magazine’s Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyers 2010, 2013-2016
• Tampa’s Top Rated Lawyers, 2012-2015
• Legal Awards – Most Outstanding Construction Lawyer, Corporate Livewire, 2015
• Construction Lawyer of the Year in Florida, Legal Elite, 2015
• Law Awards, LegalComprehensive.com, , 2014
• Lawyers World Global Awards, 2014
• Top Attorneys in Florida, Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Magazine & Orlando Life, 2014
• Tampa Bay Magazine & Orlando Life, Top Attorneys in Florida, Miami Herald, 2014
• Ones to Watch — The Most Influential Practice in Construction Law, Acquisition International Magazine, 2014
• Construction, and Real Estate Expert Guide Nominee, Legal Media Group, 2014
• Annual Award, Lawyers World, 2013
• Rising Stars, Construction Litigation, Florida Super Lawyers, 2008-2012
• Up & Comers, Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2010
• Up & Coming Construction, Florida Trend, Legal Elite, 2007-2009
• 40 Under 40, Gulf Coast Business Review, 2007
• Law Firm 500, Fastest Growing Law Firms 2019-2021

• Gold Circle Award for Service to the Roofing Industry, National Roofing Contractors Association, 2014
• Hall of Fame Award, Western State Roofing Contractors Association, 2024
• Bob Campanella Award, Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association, 2021
• Outstanding Service Award, Western States Roofing Contractors Association, 2020
• Joe Whatley Lifetime Achievement Award, West Coast Roofing Contractors Association, 2020
• The Earl Blank Memorial Heart Award, Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association, 2010, 2020
• Service to the Industry Award, Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors, 2018
• Outstanding Company Award, Florida Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRACCA), 2016
• Byron Curry Award, West Coast Roofing Contractors Association, 2009
• President’s Award, Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association, 2008

• The State of Florida
• The State of Illinois
• The State of Indiana
• The State of Kansas
• The State of Massachusetts
• The State of Tennessee
• The State of Texas
• The State of Washington
• The State of Wyoming
• District of Columbia
• Ontario Foreign Legal Consultant respecting the laws of FL, IL, TX, TN, and U.S. Federal Law (2020-2022)
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals Armed Forces
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Kansas
• U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

• Construction & Infrastructure Law
• Commercial Law
• Government Affairs & Lobbying
• General Counsel
• International Law

• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), General Counsel, One Voice Member
• National Slate Association (NSA), General Counsel
• Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA), General Counsel
• Roofing Contractors Association of Washington (RCAW), General Counsel
• Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), General Counsel, Director
• Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), General Counsel
• Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA), General Counsel
• Southern California Roofing Contractors Association (SCRCA), General Counsel
• North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA), General Counsel
• Indiana Roofing Contractors Association (IRCA), General Counsel
• Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors (TARC), General Counsel
• Tile Roofing Institute (TRI), General Counsel
• EPDM Roofing Association (ERA), General Counsel
• Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), General Counsel
• West Coast Roofing Contractor’s Association (WCRCA), General Counsel
• Palm Beach County Contractors Association (PBCCA), General Counsel
• Florida Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRACCA), Member
• National Women in Roofing (NWIR), Founding Sponsor
• Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, Founding Sponsor, Governor Level Contributor
• ROOFPAC Political Insiders Council, 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
• Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Member
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Past Member – Board of Directors (2008-2010)
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (RACCA), Past Member
• University of Tampa Board of Counselors, Past Board Member
• Central Florida Roofing Contractors Association (CFRSA), Past Member
• Northeast Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (NEFRSA), Past Member
• Capital City Roofing & Sheet Metal Association, Inc. (CRSA), Past Member
• Roofing Contractors of South Florida Association (RCASF), Member
• Treasure Coast Roofing Contractors Association (TCRCA), Past Member
• Sarasota/Manatee Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (SMRSMCA), Past Member
• Vanderbilt University Undergraduate and School of Law, Initial Admissions Interviewer
• Black Dagger Military Hunt Club, SponsorEducation

Trent has published more than 1000 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 and is a regular columnist for a variety of publications.  He is the author of the Amazon best-selling books OSHA Defense for the Construction Industry, OSHA Defense: Know Your Rights, and Roofing Law: Contracts. He is the co-host of the #1 rated construction law podcast, Law & Mortar. He is a nationally-recognized speaker and was ranked one of the top 5 all time speakers at the Best of Success conference.

• Randall Mechanical, Inc. v. Secretary of Labor, United States Department of Labor, (11th Cir.) 2020 WL 1287750
• Cloer v. Green Mountain Specialties Corp., (M.D. Fla.) 2018 WL 7287153
• Spivey Utility Construction Company v. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (M.D. Fla.) 2018 WL 4207997
• Jody Wilson Constr., Inc., Respondent., 2018 O.S.H. Dec. (CCH) ¶ 33661 (CMPAU Feb. 28, 2018)
• Knight v. Curry’s Roofing, LLC (M.D. Fla.) 2016 WL 11594795
• In re: Petition for Declaratory Statement of Hernando County, Construction Industry Licensing Board, DS 2015-056 (2015) (intervenor FRSA).
• In re: Petition for Declaratory Statement of J&K Roofing, Inc., Construction Industry Licensing Board, DS 2015-129 (2015)( intervenor FRSA).
• In re: Petition for Declaratory Statement of SGS Contracting, Construction Industry Licensing Board, DS 2015-137 (2015) (intervenor FRACCA).
• In re: Petition for Declaratory Statement of TSC Southeast, LLC, Construction Industry Licensing Board, DS 2015-138 (2015) (intervenor).
• In re: Petition for Declaratory Statement of City of Orlando, Construction Industry Licensing Board, DS 2014-099 (2014) (intervenor FRSA).
• In re: Petition for Declaratory Statement of Robert Cade, Construction Industry Licensing Board, DS 2014-098 (2014) (intervenor FRSA).
• In re: Petition for Declaratory Statement of Pro/Max Construction LLC, Construction Industry Licensing Board, DS 2014-70 (2014) (intervenor FRSA).
• In re: Petition for Declaratory Statement of Sun Star Energy LLC, Construction Industry Licensing Board, DS 2013-043 (2013) (intervenor FRSA).
• City of Oldsmar v. State, 790 So.2d 1042 (Fla. 2001)

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.