Podcast
Cotney Discusses How “OSHA Punchlists Become Roofer Headaches”
Published: May 29, 2025

Watch the podcast and interview with Trent Cotney
Adams & Reese Construction Team Leader Trent Cotney recently appeared on a Roofing Contractor podcast, “OSHA Punchlists Become Roofer Headaches.” Roofing Contractor is the premier news media and industry trade resource for the contractor as editorial content addresses issues critical to contractors, and provides the information and insights of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional roofing.
Cotney says one of the biggest complaints he hears from roofing contractors is punchlists that come in at the end of a job.
“You’re about 95% complete, or you’re at a point when the owner can occupy the property and you start getting punchlist after punchlist,” said Cotney. “These constant corrective items or alleged corrective items are used as justifications to pay you.”
At Adams & Reese, Cotney is a leading member of one of the largest construction teams in the country with more than 90 attorneys licensed to practice construction law across more than 35 states. A Partner in the Adams & Reese Tampa office, Cotney represents construction and infrastructure clients, including GCs, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, architects, engineers, roofers, developers, and other professionals. Cotney is a board-certified construction lawyer licensed in eight states and Washington, DC. Cotney is an EU arbitrator for construction-related disputes. He is also experienced in construction litigation and arbitration, including OSHA defense, lien law, bond law, bid protests, and construction document review and drafting.
Cotney 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. Cotney has published more than 1,000 articles in 100 different local, regional, and national publications. Cotney recently published his fourth construction law book, Roofing Law: Contracts.