legal issues in AEC - Page 1 | Walls & Ceilings

Structural Safety

NYC Tower Failure Offers Warning for Wall and Ceiling Contractors

Buckled columns at the former Pfizer headquarters show how structural movement can damage interior assemblies—and draw specialty contractors into investigation

Tanja Kern

July 13, 2026

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After columns buckled at a Midtown conversion, experts explain how specialty contractors should respond to structural movement, damaged assemblies and potential liability.

Legal Trends Shaping the Roofing Industry

Legal Insights

Legal Trends Shaping the Industry

Learn how contractors can prepare for legal, insurance and OSHA changes affecting the industry.

July 10, 2026

Trent Cotney shares legal updates on contracts, insurance, OSHA and reputation management.

Labor Compliance

Washington Law Puts Finishing Contractors Under Misclassification Spotlight

New public works trigger requires L&I review when multiple independent contractors perform the same covered finishing work

Tanja Kern

July 7, 2026

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Washington’s new public works law gives agencies, unions, workers and competitors a clearer path to trigger L&I misclassification reviews.

Legal Insights

Data Center Risks Amid Oil Price Volatility Issues

Legal expert Trent Cotney says contractors weigh escalation and data risks daily

May 27, 2026

Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney explains oil costs, data centers and contract exposure issues.

QXO Just Changed the Game-Here's What Contractors Are Asking

Trent Cotney explains contract leverage, data risks, and consolidation impacts on contractors.

May 13, 2026

Consolidation and vertical integration are reshaping the construction landscape—and wall and ceiling contractors should be evaluating the risk now.

Contractors: Now Is the Time to Speak Up on the Dignity Act

If Walls Could Talk

Labor Shortages Intensify as Immigration Uncertainty Grows

Contractors Look to Dignity Act

Jill Bloom

Trent Cotney

February 25, 2026

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Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney and Michele Meier, general manager at Clear Choice Restoration, say the proposed Dignity Act could create a structured legal pathway for undocumented workers, offering much-needed workforce stabilization for construction trades facing mounting labor shortages.

Professional Standards That Protect Your Company

If Walls Could Talk

Is ICE Targeting My Crew?

Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney discusses how to handle perceived targeting of crews on-the-job when it comes to immigration enforcement.

February 17, 2026

Trent Cotney discusses ways to handle and avoid targeting during immigration enforcement sweeps in your community.

Legal Insights

Software Agreement Clauses Wall and Ceiling Contractors Should Revisit

As construction operations become increasingly digital, wall and ceiling contractors must carefully review and negotiate software agreements to protect their data, control costs, and reduce legal and operational risk.

Trent Cotney

February 6, 2026

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As construction operations become increasingly digital, wall and ceiling contractors must carefully review and negotiate software agreements to protect their data, control costs, and reduce legal and operational risk.

I-9 Audits, Raids and Contractor Compliance

Jill Bloom talks with construction law expert Trent Cotney to unpack I-9 audits, ICE raids and the compliance mistakes that could cost contractors everything (and how to avoid them).

January 16, 2026

Jill Bloom talks with construction law expert Trent Cotney to unpack I-9 audits, ICE raids and the compliance mistakes that could cost contractors everything (and how to avoid them).

Legal Support for Stucco Contractors Battling Homebuilder Liability Claims

As a stucco contractor, you take pride in your craft, but when shoddy construction practices by homebuilders cause damage, attorneys can help protect your reputation and secure rightful compensation.

Benjamin Webster

January 10, 2026

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As a stucco contractor, you take pride in your craft, but when shoddy construction practices by homebuilders cause damage, attorneys can help protect your reputation and secure rightful compensation.