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As a Board Certified Construction Lawyer, Trent focuses his practice on all aspects of construction litigation and arbitration, including OSHA defense, lien law, bond law, and bid protests, as well as construction document review and drafting. He routinely represents general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, architects, engineers, and others in the construction industry in a variety of matters. He has authored more than 75 published articles in more than 15 publications on such topics as negligent design, delay damages, and defective workmanship and is a regular columnist for FRSA and WCRCA trade publications. As a State Accredited Continuing Education Provider, Trent has conducted seminars on such topics as construction contract provisions, licensing, and lien law. He has argued on behalf of contractors before the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Trent is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and a Qualified Court-Appointed Arbitrator.
| Trenton Hugh Cotney: | Member at The Cotney Construction Law, LLP |
 |
3110 Cherry Palm Drive Suite 290 Tampa, FL 33619 |
| Website: | http://www.cotneycl.com |
| Phone: | 813-579-3278 |
| Fax: | 813-902-7612 |
| Offices: |
Cotney Construction Law, LLP
|
Construction litigation and arbitration, construction contract review and drafting; lien and bond law; OSHA defense; bid protests; licensing defense; claims preparation and defense; mediator of construction disputes
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Bar Association | Member | N/A |
| Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section | N/A | |
| Moot Court Honor Society | Executive Committee | 1998 - 1999 |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division | Member | 1999 - 2003 |
| Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers | Member | 1999 - 2000 |
| Florida Bar | Member | N/A |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
| Underground Utility Contractors of Florida | Member | N/A |
| National Utility Contractors Association | Member | N/A |
| Suncoast Utility Contractors Association | Member | N/A |
| Florida Transportation Builders Association | Member | N/A |
| University of Tampa | Board of Counselors | 2002 - 2004 |
| West Coast Roofing Contractor's Association | Director | N/A |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association, Construction Law Section | Member | N/A |
| Florida Roofing Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association | General Counsel; Director | N/A |
| Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section | Member | N/A |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association | Member | 2004 - 2008 |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association | Co-chair | 2005 - 2006 |
| Associated Builders & Contractors | Member | 2007 - 2015 |
| Humane Society of Tampa Bay | Director | 2008 - 2010 |
| FRSA Education & Research Foundation | Platinum Member | N/A |
| Pinellas County Contractors Association | Member | N/A |
| National Roofing Contractors Association | Member | N/A |
| Palm Beach County Contractors Association | Member | N/A |
| Central Florida Roofing Contractors Association | Member | N/A |
| American Arbitration Association | Member of Roster of Mediators and Arbitrators | N/A |
| Palm Beach County Contractors Association | Member | 2014 - 1900 |
| Roofing Contractors of South Florida Association | Member | N/A |
| North Central Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Member | N/A |
| Capital City Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Member | N/A |
| Northeast Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association | Member | N/A |
| Roofing Contractors of South Florida Association | Member | 2015 - 1900 |
| North Central Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Member | 2015 - 1900 |
| Capital City Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Member | 2015 - 1900 |
| Northeast Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association | Member | 2015 - 1900 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Top Lawyers | Tampa Magazine | 2019 |
| Top 100 Lawyers | Florida Super Lawyers | 2019 |
| Service to the Industry | Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors | 2018 |
| Listed in Construction Law | Chambers & Partners USA Guide | 2018 |
| Golden Adviser | Worldwide Financial Adviser Magazine | 2018 |
| Construction Litigation Lawyer of the Year, Florida | International Advisory Experts | 2018 |
| Rising Star Immigration Law | American Institute of Legal Advocates | 2018 |
| OSHA Defense Lawyer of the Year | Finance Monthly Law Awards | 2018 |
| Construction Litigation | Best Lawyers in America | 2018 |
| America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Construction Law | Chambers USA | 2015 |
| Best Law Firms Construction Law | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers | 2015 |
| Top Lawyers in Florida | The Legal Network | 2015 |
| Best Lawyers | Best Lawyers in America, 21st Edition | 2015 |
| Intercontinental Finance Magazine | Leading US Construction Law Firm of the Year | 2015 |
| Construction Litigation | Florida Super Lawyers | 2015 |
| Gold Circle Award for Service to the Industry | NRCA | 2014 |
| Who's Who of Business Lawyers | International Who's Who of Business Lawyers | 2014 |
| Best Law Firms Construction Law | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers | 2014 |
| America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Construction Law | Chambers USA | 2014 |
| Best Lawyers | Best Lawyers in America, 20th Edition | 2014 |
| Top Lawyers in Florida | The Legal Network | 2014 |
| Intercontinental Finance Magazine | Leading US Construction Law Firm of the Year | 2014 |
| A.I.M. Construction Sector Focused Law Firm of the Year | Best Florida Lawyer - OSHA Defense | 2014 |
| Construction Litigation | Florida Super Lawyers | 2014 |
| Annual Awards | Lawyers World | 2013 |
| Who's Who of Business Lawyers | International Who's Who of Business Lawyers | 2013 |
| Tampa Bay's Top Lawyers | Tampa Bay Magazine | 2013 |
| Construction Litigation | Florida Super Lawyers | 2013 |
| Best Law Firms Construction Law | U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers | 2013 |
| Construction Law Firm of the Year in Florida | Corporate INTL | 2013 |
| America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Construction Law | Chambers USA | 2013 |
| Florida Super Lawyers | Super Lawyers | 2013 |
| Florida Legal Elite - Construction Law | Florida Trend Magazine | 2013 |
| International Who's Who of Construction Lawyers | Who's Who Legal | 2013 |
| Global Award | Intercontinental Finance Magazine | 2013 |
| Leading Lawyer 500 | Intercontinental Finance Magazine | 2013 |
| Best Lawyers | Best Lawyers in America, 19th Edition | 2013 |
| Construction Law Firm of the Year - Florida | Acquisition International M&A Awards | 2013 |
| Tampa's Top Rated Lawyers | Legal Leaders | 2012 |
| Top 50 Entrepreneurs of the Year | Business Leader Magazine | 2012 |
| International Who's Who of Construction Lawyers | Who's Who Legal | 2012 |
| Rising Stars, Construction Litigation | Florida Super Lawyers | 2012 |
| Legal Elite, Construction Law | Florida Trend Magazine | 2012 |
| America's Most Honored Professionals | American Registry | 2011 |
| Best Attorneys, Construction | The Best Attorney's Network | 2011 |
| Earl Blank "Heart" Award | FRSA | 2011 |
| Legal Elite, Construction | Florida Trend Magazine | 2011 |
| Rising Stars Construction Litigation | Florida Super Lawyers | 2011 |
| Legal Elite, Construction Law | Florida Trend Magazine | 2010 |
| Rising Star, Construction Litigation | Florida Super Lawyers | 2010 |
| Construction Business of the Year, Finalist | Associated Builders & Contractors | 2010 |
| Business Achievement Award for Community Involvement | Associated Builders & Contractors | 2010 |
| Tampa Bay's Top Lawyers, Construction Law | Tampa Bay Magazine | 2010 |
| Up & Comers | Tampa Bay Business Journal | 2010 |
| Best Law Firms, Construction Law, Tampa, FL | U.S. News & World Report | 2010 |
| Construction Law Firm of the Year in Florida | Corporate INTL Magazine | 2010 |
| AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2009 |
| Rising Star, Construction Litigation | Florida Super Lawyers | 2009 |
| Up & Coming Lawyer, Construction Law | Florida Trend Magazine | 2009 |
| President's Award | Florida Roofing Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Association | 2009 |
| Certified Circuit Court Mediator | Florida Supreme Court | 2009 |
| Qualified Court-Appointed Arbitrator | Florida State Courts | 2009 |
| Byron Curry Award | West Coast Roofing Contractor's Association | 2008 |
| Up & Coming Lawyer, Construction Law | Florida Trend Magazine | 2008 |
| Top 40 Under 40 | Gulf Coast Business Review | 2007 |
| Admitted to Practice | United States Supreme Court | 2007 |
| Board Certified in Construction Law | Florida Bar | 2005 |
| Accredited Contractor Continuing Education Provider | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation | 2004 |
| Admitted to Practice | Florida Bar | 1999 |
| Best Brief Award | Vanderbilt University School of Law | 1998 |
| Alexander Heard Award | Vanderbilt University | 1996 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1996 |
| Vanderbilt University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1996 |
| Vanderbilt University Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1999 |
| Vanderbilt University Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1999 |
| State | Number | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 2017 | 11/13/2021 | |
| IN | Active In Good Standing | 2020 | 11/13/2021 | |
| KS | Authorized to practice law | 2019 | 11/13/2021 | |
| TN | Active | 2017 | 11/13/2021 | |
| TX | Eligible To Practice In Texas | 2017 | 11/13/2021 | |
| WA | Active | 2020 | 11/13/2021 | |
| FL | 176214 | 1999 | 09/15/2021 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing Contractor | State of the Industry | 2015 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Differing Job Site Conditions (Pt III of III) | 2015 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Construction Arbitration | 2015 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Failure to Obtain a Building Permit May Invalidate a Construction Lien | 2015 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Reflections on IRE 2015 | 2015 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Nail Protection on Roofing Projects | 2015 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Big Brother is Watching: OSHA and Social Media | 2015 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Cross-Default Clauses | 2015 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Fraudulent Claim of Lien | 2014 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Contractual Liability and the First Cost Doctrine | 2014 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Cardinal Changes | 2014 |
| PBCCA Newsletter | The Implied Warranty of Constructability | 2014 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | The Benefits of Construction Mediation | 2014 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | OSHA’s New Beryllium Standards | 2014 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Common Problems with Construction Liens | 2014 |
| Shear Bull | The AIA Initial Decision Maker: Dispute Resolution of Construction Projects | 2014 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | The Escalating Cost of Construction and Combating Price Increases | 2014 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Differing Job Site Conditions (Pt I of III) | 2014 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Differing Job Site Conditions (Pt II of III) | 2014 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | OSHA Safety Tips | 2013 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | License Questions and Petitions for Declaratory Statements | 2013 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Green Construction and the Implied Warranty of Availability | 2013 |
| Roofing Florida | Partial & Final Waivers and Releases of Liens | 2013 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Roofing Contractor or Unlicensed Public Adjuster? | 2013 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Determining the Costs of Construction Defect Claims | 2013 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Transferring a Lien to a Security | 2013 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | The Waiver of Owner Notice Provisions | 2013 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Legal Dangers of Unlicensed Contracting in Florida | 2013 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Contracting and Liquidated Damages | 2013 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | OSHA Time for a Change? | 2013 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Public Projects & Bid Protests (part 1 of 2) | 2012 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Public Projects & Bid Protests (part 2 of 2) | 2012 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Recent Lien Case Provides New Loopholes | 2012 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Green Construction & the Implied Warranty of Availability | 2012 |
| RCASF Newsletter | Florida Lien Law - Notice of Commencement | 2012 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Documentation Necessary to Support Defense Against OSHA Citation | 2012 |
| RCASF | Failure to Obtain a Permit May Invalidate a Claim of Lien | 2012 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | 2012 Legislative Session: Lien and Bond Law Changes | 2012 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | 2012 FRSA Convention - Family Matters | 2012 |
| WCRA Newsletter | Problems With Using the Total Cost Method of Calculating Costs | 2012 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | 3 Important Provisions in Residential Roofing Contracts | 2012 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Waiver of Arbitration Provisions | 2012 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | How to Remove a Claim of Lien | 2012 |
| HVAC Insider Publication | Mediating Construction Disputes | 2012 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Experienced Construction Mediator Can Save Contractors Time and Money | 2012 |
| HVAC Insider Publication | Construction Law and Your Business | 2011 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation | 2011 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Public Projects & Bid Protests | 2011 |
| Florida Roofing Magazine | OSHA Safety Tips | 2011 |
| Roofing Contractor | Liquidated Damages Provisions in Construction Contracts | 2011 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Fall Protection and Willful OSHA Violations | 2011 |
| Roofing Florida | Recent Case Refines Statute of Limitations for Roof Leaks | 2011 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | How to Defeat Pay When Paid Clauses | 2011 |
| Plans & Specs | The Implied Warranty of Availability | 2011 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Effective Construction Mediation | 2011 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Changes to Lien Law Affects Recovery of Attorney's Fees | 2010 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | No Damages for Delay Provisions | 2010 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Termination for Convenience: Necessary Evil or Unfair Advantage | 2010 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | Five Important Provisions in Residential Roofing Contracts | 2010 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Damages for Defective Workmanship | 2010 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | A Negligent Design Defense | 2010 |
| WCRA Newsletter | Personal Guaranties | 2010 |
| Roofing Florida Magazine | OSHA Makes Significant Changes to Crane Standards | 2010 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Three Ways to Prevent Mold Claims on Construction Projects | 2010 |
| Palm Beach County Roofing Association Magazine | Construction Arbitration | 2009 |
| Plans & Specs | Mediating Construction Disputes | 2009 |
| WCRCA Newsletter | Recovery of Attorneys' Fees Under Florida Lien Law | 2009 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Education Institute of Florida | OSHA Citation & Inspection Process | 2013 |
| FRSA Convention | Crisis Management in Construction | 2013 |
| National Association of Credit Management, Tampa,FL | Writing Effective Demand Letters | 2013 |
| ABC | Contractor Regulation & Licensing | 2012 |
| ABC - Ft. Myers, FL | Collecting Payment on Construction Projects | 2012 |
| ABC - Ft. Myers, FL | Florida Construction Lien Law | 2012 |
| PCCA Clearwater, FL | OSHA Update | 2012 |
| FRSA Convention; Orlando, FL | Contractor Licensing and Construction Contracts | 2012 |
| RCASF Fort Lauderdale, FL | Construction Contract Provisions | 2012 |
| CILB Licensing | Laws and Rules | 2012 |
| CFRSA Orlando, FL | Getting Paid on Projects | 2012 |
| Best of Success Conference | Understanding Construction Contracts | 2011 |
| Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. | Collecting Payment on Construction Projects | 2011 |
| NEFRSA Meeting | OSHA Inspection & Citation Process | 2011 |
| FRSA Convention | Contractor Licensing Issues & Construction Contracts | 2011 |
| CFRSA | Collecting Payment on Construction Projects | 2011 |
| HAPHCC | Legal Aspects of Construction Licensing | 2011 |
| HAPHCC | The Basics of Construction Lien Law | 2011 |
| PCCA | OSHA Inspection & Citation Process | 2011 |
| FRACCA Education Conference | Florida Lien Law Update | 2011 |
| Hillsborough Association of Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors, Inc. | Contractor Regulations & Licensing | 2010 |
| Hillsborough Association of Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors, Inc. | Florida Construction Lien Law | 2010 |
| Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. | Alternative Construction Dispute Resolution | 2010 |
| FRSA Annual Convention | Contractor Licensing Issues & Construction Contracts | 2010 |
| FRSA Seminar | Contractor Regulation and Licensing | 2010 |
| Hillsborough Association of Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors, Inc. | Construction Dispute Resolution | 2010 |
| Associated Builders & Contractors | Alternative Dispute Resolution in Construction | 2010 |
| Associated Builders & Contractors | Construction Contract Provisions | 2010 |
| FRSA Annual Convention | Licensing and Lien Law | 2009 |
| Associated Builders & Contractors | Understanding Construction Contracts | 2009 |
| National Association of Credit Managers | Basics of Construction Contracts and Lien Law | 2009 |
| West Coast Roofing Contractor's Association | Florida Construction Lien Law | 2009 |
| Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Licensing Regulations-Chapter 489 | 2009 |
| Tri-County Roofing Contractor's Association | Basics of Construction Lien Law | 2009 |
| Associated Builders & Contractors | Defective Design and Construction | 2008 |
| Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Legal Aspects of Construction Licensing & Lien Law | 2008 |
| Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Dealing with Defects in Design & Construction | 2007 |
| Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Understanding Contracts & Defective Design/Workmanship Issues | 2007 |
| West Coast Roofing Contractor's Association | Legislative Update to the Florida Construction Lien Law | 2006 |
| Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association | Legal Issues Pertaining to Mold | 2003 |
| West Coast Roofing Contractor's Association | Notice Provisions and Disclaimers | 2002 |
| SMCRCA | Reduction & Prevention of Mold Litigation | 2002 |
| Roofing Consultants Institute Lakeland, FL | Collecting Payments on Construction Projects and Florida Construction Lien Law | 2025 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Intern | Ruden McClosky Smith Schuster & Russell | 1997 - 1997 |
| Legal Intern | Ruden McClosky Smith Schuster & Russell | 1998 - 1998 |
| Legal Intern | Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A. | 1998 - 1998 |
| Legal Intern | Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A. | 1998 - 1998 |
| Legal Intern | Ruden McClosky Smith Schuster & Russell | 1998 - 1998 |
| Associate | Ruden McClosky Smith Schuster & Russell | 1999 - 2000 |
| Associate | Ruden McClosky Smith Schuster & Russell | 1999 - 2000 |
| Shareholder Attorney in the Construction Law Practice Group | Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. | 2000 - 2012 |
| Shareholder Attorney in the Construction Law Practice Group | Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. | 2000 - 2012 |
| President | Cotney Construction Law, LLP | 2012 - 1900 |
| President | Cotney Construction Law, LLP | N/A |
