Roscoe Green - Cotney Around the Globe

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter. 

Learn what you can do to protect your business from current industry disturbances and future problems that are outside of your control.  

In Season 3, Episode 36 of Roofing Road Trips, a RoofersCoffeeShop® original podcast series, RCS President Heidi J. Ellsworth chats with Roscoe Green who is leading the Cotney Construction Practice Group. Roscoe is on the forefront of construction practices including contracts, material shortages, liens and more. Listen to the entire podcast to hear about Roscoe’s interesting history and his leadership in helping contractors prepare for all of the contingencies that have been and continue to be thrown at them throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast will also discuss current material shortages and price increases as well as what changes we can expect to see in 2022. 

Roscoe is a partner with Cotney Attorneys and Consultants and the head of their Construction Practice Group. He is a licensed general contractor and has been working in the construction industry for over 20 years after earning a degree in Construction Engineering from Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida.  

"I grew up in the industry, started from a laborer, worked as superintendent, project manager, estimator for a large commercial company, and with my father's general contracting company as well,” said Roscoe. 

Roscoe’s legal practice has been dedicated to construction law, namely representing contractors from around the country. Roscoe’s grandfather, who recently passed away, was an inspiring Florida Supreme Court Justice who Roscoe admires deeply and who helped shaped his legal career. 

“He was the first African-American to win a statewide election in Florida, and appointed by President Carter to the 11th circuit. I would talk to him all the time and he would tell me about his meetings with President Carter. He literally learned how to practice law from Thurgood Marshall,” said Roscoe. “As sad as it was that he passed, it really opened my eyes to all the people he touched. . .The governor lowered the flags throughout the state for him. It just shows you what you can do and how you [can] go about doing it. I hope one day I can end my days in a similar fashion where I'm well-respected, treat people fairly and humbly and fight for equality and justice for all." 

Roscoe and Heidi continued their conversation talking through the latest legal challenges and changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss Roscoe’s practice group that teaches contractors skills to help them manage unexpected changes that can threaten the health of their businesses. 

“You've got all these different laws that are changing and orders that are coming out. Projects are being suspended,” said Roscoe. “Most of the contracts didn't have pandemics as part of the inclusion of their force majeure provisions.” 

From the changing laws to material shortages, labor shortages and an ongoing battle with the Coronavirus, businesses all over the world have been put at risk. Cotney Attorneys and Consultants has been on the forefront of protecting contractors by making sure roofing remains essential work.  

“We did a lot of reaching out and writing letters to different elected officials and really conveying the message of roofing contractors and other contractors as well,” said Roscoe. “We've got to keep working here because roofers are essential." 

Listen to the entire podcast to hear more from Roscoe and the important information you need to know to keep your business protected.