Adams and Reese Partner and Construction Team Co-Leader Trent Cotney was cited in a recent Construction Dive article, “DeSantis inks Florida E-Verify law for private employers.” Cotney explains the impact that newly-signed Senate Bill 1718 will have on industries that currently rely on the I-9 system.
“I anticipate this law will result in further segmentation of the industry with smaller subcontractor labor groups falling under the 25-employee limit to avoid compliance with E-Verify,” Cotney said. “With this new legislation, Florida businesses must be vigilant in their hiring practices and ensure they are following the E-Verify requirements if they have 25 or more employees. Construction, in particular, faces a shortfall of workers as evidenced by the dramatic rise in the use of sub-labor.”
Cotney is a board-certified construction lawyer licensed in eight states and Washington, D.C. In construction litigation and arbitration, he represents construction and infrastructure clients, including general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, architects, engineers, roofers, developers, and other professionals. He is an EU arbitrator for construction-related disputes.
Cotney 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.