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Legal Corner
Understanding the 2026 August legal landscape
By Emma Peterson. The latest Cotney Brief helps contractors stay ahead of evolving legal and business challenges with insights on tariffs, claims management, documentation practices and project risk mitigation. Every day there are legal decisions being made that change the way the world operates. But it can be a lot ...
July 2026 legal updates
By Emma Peterson. Learn about new noncompete limits, immigration policies, warranty provisions and more with this month’s Cotney Brief! Trent Cotney is well-known in the roofing industry for his expertise in roofing litigation and arbitration. He is a partner at leading legal firm Adams and Reese and has defended ...
A step towards affordable housing
By The Coffee Shops™. Zoning and permitting reforms may help reduce regulatory barriers to affordable homebuilding. *Editor’s Note: Since this article was written, the conversation around housing affordability has continued to gain momentum. A recent industry announcement from the American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA), supported by more than 200 organizations, ...
Why code compliance matters on equipment-heavy roofs
By Jesse Sanchez. Properly securing rooftop equipment helps protect low-slope roof systems and building operations. Mission-critical facilities often depend on low-slope roofs crowded with mechanical equipment, piping, and other accessories. As Anchor Products emphasizes, these components support essential building operations but also introduce wind, seismic and structural forces that must ...
6 new ways to install vinyl siding
By The Coffee Shops™. PEPA’s proposed new fastener table for vinyl siding installations was accepted into the building codes. Traditionally, codes have dictated that there is a single prescriptive way to install vinyl siding – 16 inches on center into the studs. However, this has been limiting for contractors in ...
Trent Cotney’s June 2026 legal updates
By Emma Peterson. From Florida to California, Trent shares key regulatory and legislative information for contractors. As a partner at Adams and Reese law firm specializing in roofing litigation and arbitration, Trent Cotney sits at the forefront of legal and regulatory changes that are impacting contractors and other roofing ...
Construction law insights and updates from May 2026
By Emma Peterson. Staying ahead of joint employer rules, bid liability, cost escalation language and more. For many contractors, managing the legal and operational side of their roofing businesses often takes a back burner to their passion for their trade and craft. However, this can cause problems down the ...
Protecting choice: Reflecting on PEPA's legislative victory for vinyl siding in Washington state
By Heidi J. Ellsworth. How industry advocacy helps preserve material choice, affordability and innovation in exterior construction. The conversation around building materials continues to evolve across North America as lawmakers, regulators and local governments weigh sustainability, affordability and performance. For manufacturers, contractors and homeowners, maintaining access to a wide range of building ...
Trent Cotney: Lawyer, educator, advocate and leader
By Emma Peterson. How Trent Cotney supports the roofing industry from the courtroom and beyond. Just last year, Trent Cotney was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 edition for his construction law and litigation work. This recognition places Trent in the top 5% of lawyers in the ...
ED releases final Workforce Pell Rule
Institutions considering Workforce Pell participation should begin reviewing program eligibility, workforce alignment documentation, state approval processes and implementation timelines under the finalized framework. The U.S. Department of Education has released its Final Rule implementing the Workforce Pell Grant program authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The Final Rule ...
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