Law & Mortar

Welcome to Episode 105 of Law and Mortar with Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. In this episode, they explore how AI and automation are reshaping the roofing and construction industries—from estimating to operations and beyond.

🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ Real-world applications of AI in estimating, scheduling, and communication
✅ Why AI is a support tool—not a replacement for human thinking
✅ How drone technology and robotics are being enhanced by AI
✅ Predictions on automation trends: 10% robotics-human workforce in 5–7 years?
✅ How contractors can start testing AI now using free tools

Whether you’re just starting to explore tech or already integrating AI into your business, this episode offers key insights into what’s next for construction professionals.

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 104 of Law and Mortar with Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. In this episode, Trent and John dive into emerging legal and operational issues in the construction industry—from AI and data privacy to workplace marijuana safety.

🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ The evolving role of AI in construction, estimating, and admin operations
✅ AI’s legal risks: data privacy, policy development, and liability
✅ Workplace safety and marijuana legalization—what contractors must know
✅  Upcoming Advanced Estimating Workshop in Lakeland, FL (October 21–22)

From safety protocols to forward-thinking tech adoption, this episode helps contractors stay informed and protected in a rapidly changing landscape.

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 103 of Law and Mortar featuring Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. This episode covers urgent updates on tax reform, contractor insurance, and the increased risk of immigration audits and ICE raids.

🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ The “Big Beautiful Bill” and what it means for contractor taxes
✅ What’s changing with pass-through deductions, car loan interest, and overtime tax breaks
✅ The risks tied to the rollback of solar incentives for the roofing industry
✅ Why contractors must tighten their insurance and risk management strategies
✅ ICE raids and I-9 audits: how to prepare now

From navigating tax shifts to protecting your team and business, this episode is packed with critical updates and action items for roofing and construction professionals.

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 102 of Law and Mortar with Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. This episode focuses on one of today's most urgent threats facing the roofing and construction workforce: immigration enforcement and its immediate and long-term impact on labor availability.

🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ Why up to 40% of the roofing workforce is undocumented—and what that means
✅ ICE audits and raids: what contractors need to know and how to prepare
✅ Why e-verify isn’t enough and what compliance really looks like
✅ Legal, ethical, and strategic steps contractors can take now to protect their workforce
✅ What the industry needs in terms of real, workable immigration reform

This episode is a must-listen for construction professionals navigating a shifting legal and labor landscape.

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 101 of Law and Mortar with Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. This week’s episode delivers a candid discussion on the critical role immigration plays in the construction workforce, especially in roofing, and what contractors need to know to navigate evolving enforcement and compliance challenges.

🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ The reality: 38–40% of the roofing labor force is undocumented
✅ Implications of immigration raids, OSHA enforcement, and e-verify limitations
✅ Why the H-2B visa program isn’t enough to meet labor demand
✅ Employer responsibilities and how to prepare for ICE inspections
✅ Strategic guidance: focus on cash flow, short-term work, and risk awareness

If you’re a contractor, this episode is essential listening for protecting your workforce and business.

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 100 of Law and Mortar, a special milestone edition featuring Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. In this commemorative episode, Trent and John reflect on the podcast's origins, evolution, and the industry challenges they've covered over the years.

🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ The podcast's journey from a pandemic project to 100+ episodes strong
✅ Reflections on labor shortages, market shifts, and post-COVID business resilience
✅ Tips for contractors on adapting to material constraints and economic uncertainty
✅ Networking, community, and celebrating industry events like the upcoming Florida Expo
✅ Bonus: Trent's 100-day charitable offer to support construction-focused causes

Join us in celebrating 100 episodes of insight, resilience, and real talk for the construction industry.

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 99 of Law and Mortar with Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. This week, Trent and John break down the current political, economic, and labor uncertainties in the construction industry, including how tariffs, immigration, and automation are shaping contractor operations.
🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ Political changes and their effects on labor availability and subcontractor workflows
✅ How tariffs and immigration policies are creating industry confusion
✅ Why automation in manufacturing and field labor is gaining momentum
✅ Market uncertainty, smart purchasing decisions, and fleet leasing insights
✅ Upcoming travel and highlights from the FRC Expo
A must-listen for contractors navigating today’s complex and shifting construction landscape.

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 98 of Law and Mortar, featuring Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. In this episode, Trent and John discuss the construction sector's economic challenges and uncertainty.

🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ The potential recession and how contractors should prepare
✅ Budgeting strategies and maintaining a strong financial position
✅ The latest on ICE raids and audits—how immigration policies are impacting labor
✅ Automation in construction and why companies must optimize their operations
✅ Insights from IRE 2024 and upcoming industry events

Get expert insights into how to navigate uncertainty and strengthen your business in today’s construction market.

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 97 of Law and Mortar, featuring Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. In this episode, Trent and John explore the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in the construction and roofing industries.

They discuss:
 ✅ How contractors are using AI for email management, proposal writing, and process optimization
✅ The future of robotics in construction and roofing
✅ AI’s potential for customer service, logistics, and quality control
✅ Upcoming presentations at industry events, including discussions on AI, maintenance agreements, and legal issues in subcontracting

Don’t miss this forward-thinking discussion on how AI is reshaping the roofing and construction industries!

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.

Welcome to Episode 96 of Law and Mortar, featuring Trent Cotney, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. In this episode, Trent and John break down the latest policy shifts affecting the construction industry, including executive orders, immigration policies, and tariffs. They discuss the impact of these changes on labor costs, materials, and business strategy. Plus, they share insights on preparing for economic uncertainty and upcoming industry events like the International Roofing Expo (IRE) and Women in Roofing. Don’t miss this essential discussion for construction and roofing professionals!

Connect with the Hosts

Trent Cotney – Construction Attorney & Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Nationally recognized construction attorney serving the roofing and construction industries.

🌐  www.adamsandreese.com 

John Kenney – CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
Helping roofing contractors improve operations, profitability, estimating, leadership, and business performance.

🌐 www.cotneyconsulting.com

Follow Law & Mortar for practical conversations on construction law, leadership, risk management, and running a better contracting business.