Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants

For businesses and professionals within Florida's bustling construction industry, navigating the intricate web of contracts, regulations, disputes, and compliance issues is a constant challenge. Unlike general legal practices, the construction sector demands attorneys with specific, in-depth knowledge of its unique legal landscape. In Jacksonville, and indeed across the nation, Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants stands out as a dedicated legal resource, offering highly specialized services tailored exclusively to the construction industry. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants, to help local users in Florida learn more about this prominent firm.

The complexities of construction law range from ensuring proper contract drafting and negotiation to defending against construction defect claims, managing lien and bond law issues, and addressing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations. A firm with real-world understanding of these challenges, rather than just theoretical legal knowledge, can make a significant difference in protecting a business's interests and ensuring its operational continuity. Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants prides itself on having attorneys with backgrounds in construction, providing practical as well as legal advice. Led by Trent Cotney, a board-certified construction lawyer, the firm offers comprehensive support to general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, architects, engineers, roofers, developers, and more.

This overview will delve into the specifics of Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants, exploring their areas of specialized legal service, their convenient Jacksonville location, and the key features and recognition that make them a suitable choice for construction professionals throughout Florida seeking expert legal counsel. Their deep industry focus and commitment to proactive risk management highlight their value to the local construction community.

Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants maintains a strategic office location in the prominent Bank of America Tower in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, ensuring convenient access for their construction industry clients throughout Northeast Florida and beyond. Their office is located at 50 N Laura St Suite 2500, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA.

The Bank of America Tower is a significant landmark in Jacksonville's central business district, making it easily identifiable and accessible. Its downtown location offers multiple advantages for clients. For those utilizing public transportation, the area is well-served by local transit routes, providing a viable option for reaching the office. For clients driving, various parking garages and lots are typically available in the vicinity, although it is always recommended to plan parking arrangements in advance when visiting any city center. The professional environment within a major commercial tower is well-suited for confidential meetings and discussions pertaining to complex construction legal matters.

This central and accessible location underscores Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants' commitment to being readily available to serve the specialized legal needs of the construction industry in Jacksonville and across the state, facilitating easy interaction for their diverse client base, which includes local contractors, suppliers, and developers.

Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants is a full-service law firm dedicated specifically to the construction industry, handling a wide array of legal matters from transactional advice to complex litigation and arbitration. Their services are designed to address the unique challenges faced by construction professionals. Key practice areas include:

• Contract Review and Negotiation: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating all types of construction-related contracts, including customer contracts, subcontracts, sales agreements, and qualifier agreements, to ensure client protection and compliance.
• Construction Litigation and Arbitration: Representing clients in disputes arising from construction projects, including construction defect claims, payment disputes, scope of work disagreements, and general commercial litigation within the construction context.
• OSHA Defense: Providing aggressive defense against OSHA citations and navigating compliance issues, including legal consultation before, during, and after OSHA inspections, aiming to mitigate penalties and risks.
• Lien Law and Bond Law: Expertise in prosecuting lien and bond law claims to secure payment for work performed and defending against improper lien claims.
• Contractor Licensing Defense: Representing contractors facing challenges to their professional licenses.
• Bid Protests: Assisting clients with disputes related to the bidding process for construction projects.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Providing legal counsel for M&A activities within the construction sector.
• Bankruptcy: Offering guidance and representation on bankruptcy matters relevant to construction businesses.
• Trademark Application: Assisting with intellectual property protection for construction-related businesses.
• Immigration: Addressing immigration issues relevant to construction workforces.
• Employment Issues: Counseling on various employment law matters specific to the construction industry.
• Business Check-ups and Consulting: Beyond traditional legal services, they offer consulting services to help businesses identify and mitigate risks.

Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants is distinguished by several key features and significant highlights that solidify its position as a leading legal resource for the construction industry:

• Exclusive Focus on Construction Law: This is a primary differentiator. The firm is solely dedicated to representing businesses and professionals in the construction industry, ensuring highly specialized and relevant legal advice.
• Board-Certified Construction Lawyer (Trent Cotney): The firm is led by Trent Cotney, who is board-certified in construction law by The Florida Bar. This is a prestigious recognition, indicating exceptional expertise and experience in the field.
• Attorneys with Construction Backgrounds: A unique highlight is that many of the firm's attorneys have prior real-world experience in construction roles (e.g., estimators, roofers, distributors). This practical knowledge allows them to provide clients with both legal and "real-world" advice, understanding the nuances of the industry beyond legal theory.
• National and International Reach: While based in Jacksonville and with offices throughout Florida, Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants serves clients nationally and internationally, with attorneys licensed in multiple states and D.C., and a broad network through Adams and Reese LLP (where Trent Cotney is a partner).
• Recognition and Awards: The firm and its principal, Trent Cotney, have received numerous accolades, including being named a "Top 50 Construction Law Firm" by Construction Executive Magazine and "Construction Law Firm of the Year" by Lawyer Monthly and Corporate INTL Magazine. Trent Cotney has also been recognized by Super Lawyers and Florida's Legal Elite.
• General Counsel for Trade Associations: Trent Cotney serves as general counsel for over 10 trade associations and organizations, including prominent ones like the National Roofing Contractors Association and the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association. This demonstrates deep integration and influence within the industry.
• Extensive Contract Review and Drafting: The firm is highly respected for its expertise in reviewing and drafting hundreds of roofing-related contracts annually for various industry stakeholders.
• Thought Leadership: Trent Cotney is a prolific speaker and author on construction law and business topics, further cementing the firm's thought leadership in the industry.

As a highly specialized and well-regarded legal and consulting firm for the construction industry, Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants typically does not offer traditional "promotions" or "special offers" in the retail sense. Their value proposition is built upon deep expertise, industry-specific knowledge, and a track record of effective legal and practical solutions.

However, information available through public resources indicates that they do offer value-added services that can be considered beneficial to prospective clients:

• Business Check-up by Cotney Consulting Group: They offer a "Business Checkup by Cotney Consulting Group" for a flat fee (e.g., $300 as previously advertised on RoofersCoffeeShop.com). This service is designed to help businesses identify and address risks proactively, which can lead to long-term savings and increased operational efficiency. This is a direct, tangible offer aimed at providing value.
• Educational Resources: The firm frequently provides valuable educational content, including eBooks (e.g., "OSHA Defense for the Construction Industry," "What Every Contractor Needs to Know About Billable Hours") and insights on various construction law topics. While not a "discount," these resources offer significant value to the industry.
• Transparent Fee Structures: While most of their work is on an hourly basis, they do offer flat rates for contract preparation, providing clarity and predictability for specific legal services. This is a standard professional practice that benefits clients.
• Initial Consultations: It is standard for legal firms to offer initial consultations to discuss client needs. It is advisable to inquire about the terms of any initial meeting (e.g., complimentary or fee-based) when contacting the firm.

For the most current information on specific consulting services or legal offerings, it is always recommended to directly contact Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants using the provided contact information.

To connect with Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants and discuss your legal and consulting needs for the construction industry, please use the following contact details:

• Address: Bank of America Tower, 50 N Laura St Suite 2500, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA
• Phone: (904) 425-5030 (also listed as 866.303.5868 on their website)
• Mobile Phone: +1 904-425-5030
• Email: tcotney@trentcotney.com (or via their website's contact form, as seen on cotneycl.com)
• Website: www.cotneycl.com

Direct communication through their phone or website is the most effective way to schedule a consultation and begin the process of addressing your specific legal or consulting requirements.

For businesses and professionals embedded in Florida's vast construction industry, particularly those operating in and around Jacksonville, Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants stands out as an exceptionally suitable and indispensable legal partner. In a sector characterized by complex regulations, high-stakes contracts, and frequent disputes, generalized legal advice often falls short. This firm's unwavering and exclusive focus on construction law makes it an ideal fit for locals.

The suitability for Floridians is rooted in several critical factors. Firstly, the firm is led by Trent Cotney, a board-certified construction lawyer with decades of experience, and comprises attorneys who often have practical, real-world construction backgrounds. This unique blend of legal acumen and industry insight means they don't just understand the law; they understand the business, the job site, and the specific challenges faced by contractors, roofers, suppliers, and developers every day. This translates into highly practical and effective legal and consulting strategies.

Secondly, their comprehensive suite of services, from proactive contract review to aggressive OSHA defense and intricate lien law matters, covers virtually every legal need a construction business might encounter. This full-service approach simplifies legal management for local companies. Finally, their prominent location in the Bank of America Tower in downtown Jacksonville ensures easy accessibility for local clients seeking specialized counsel. For any Florida-based construction entity looking for a legal team that speaks their language, understands their unique risks, and is deeply committed to their industry's success, Cotney - Attorneys & Consultants is undoubtedly a top-tier choice.