Cokinos | Young has once again been ranked among the leading law firms in the Chambers USA 2025 Guide. This trusted and independent legal industry referral guide has recognized the following attorneys:
Importantly, Gregory M. Cokinos has earned the distinction of being named a Star Individual for multiple consecutive years, reflecting his sustained leadership and impact. The “Star” ranking is awarded to lawyers with exceptional recommendations in their field.
Cokinos | Young as a firm is ranked a top law firm in the following categories:
“We’re honored to once again be recognized by Chambers USA,” said President and CEO Gregory Cokinos. “This recognition is a testament to the strength of our team, the quality of our work, and the trust our clients continue to place in us. We remain committed to delivering outstanding results and upholding the highest standards in every matter we handle.”
Chambers USA ranks the top attorneys and law firms across the United States. Rankings for individual attorneys in their practice area(s) are based on an evaluation of their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service. A law firm ranking refers to a specific department and the qualities of the ranked attorneys within that department. Factors and considerations are judged by interviews with those active in the market, mainly clients and other attorneys with whom they work, and by assessing the size, complexity, and significance of recent matters handled. You can learn more about Chambers USA here.
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
Construction Executive magazine has once again listed Cokinos | Young in its annualTop 50 Construction Law Firms™ rankings. Construction Executive ranked C|Y 4th among The Top 50 construction practices in the country. The full list appears in the magazine’s June 2025 issue.
“Earning the #4 spot on Construction Executive’s list reflects the deep industry knowledge, relentless work ethic, and client-first mindset that define our team,” said Founding Principal Marc Young. “This recognition fuels our continued commitment to excellence in every matter we handle.”
“We owe this achievement to the clients who place their trust in our construction team to navigate their most complex legal challenges,” said Cokinos | Young President and CEO Gregory Cokinos. “Our continued success is driven by an unwavering commitment to legal excellence and delivering outstanding client service.”
Now in its 23rd year of publication, Construction Executive is the leading trade magazine about the business of construction. In its current issue, CE published a comprehensive ranking of The Top 50 Construction Law Firms™. To determine the ranking, CE asked more than 600 U.S. law firms with a construction practice to complete a survey. Data collected included: 1) 2024 revenues from the firm’s construction practice; 2) number of attorneys in the firm’s construction practice; 3) percentage of firm’s total revenues derived from its construction practice; 4) number of states in which the firm is licensed to practice; 5) year in which the construction practice was established; and 6) number of construction industry clients served during fiscal year 2024. The ranking was determined by an algorithm that weighted the aforementioned factors in descending order of importance. For more information, contact surveys@magazinexperts.com.
About Cokinos | Young
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
Patrick Wielinski authored a news article, Wrap Up Insurance and the Risk of Coverage Gaps: A Case from the Eleventh Circuit, that appeared last week in the AGC of America websites and newsletters. The topic is “course of conduct exclusions” (also referred to as “builders risk exclusions”). These exclusions are inserted into most wrap-up insurance policies (OCIPs and CCIPs) on large projects that exclude coverage for defense and indemnity for property damage to the project that occurs prior to completion. The exclusions relating to property damage under the standard CGL policy that preserve coverage for many construction defects are deleted from CIPs in favor of an absolute replacement exclusion that denies coverage for all property damage that occurs prior to completion on the pretense that a builders’ risk policy is more appropriate to provide that coverage. However, in many instances, the CGL policy will provide broader coverage and a defense. Unfortunately, many risk managers and agents/brokers are unaware of the gap, believing that the insured usually wins when any exclusion is eliminated.
The article reports on the recent case out of the Eleventh Circuit applying Florida law, Liberty Surplus Insurance Corp. v. Kaufman Lynn Construction, Inc., 130 F.4th 903 (11th.Cir. 2025), in which CY submitted an amici curiae brief on behalf of the AGC of America and NAHB in support of the contractor against its CGL insurer that denied coverage under the CCIP. The major issue was whether the policy provided completed operations coverage as each individual phase was completed (because the course of construction applied). The Eleventh Circuit somewhat obtusely held that the policy did not provide coverage, contrary to the policy’s underwriting. Nevertheless, the court acknowledged the bait-and-switch aspect of the policy that the AGC and NAHB, as amici, pointed out. Unfortunately, that argument did not carry the day because the builders’ risk policy was not included in the appellate record. Thus, the construction industry has some support the next time this issue arises as more cases involving CIPs are entering the pipeline so all is not lost. A national Teams call by the AGC on this issue is being planned. The firm intends to be involved in this effort. For more information, please feel free to contact Pat Wielinski or Travis Brown.
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
Shannon Gatlin and Kristen Maloney wrote the following article for the May edition of Construction News magazine. Shannon and Kristen break down how proactive I-9 compliance is critical for construction employers, especially in Texas, where ICE audits and site visits are a real threat. They emphasize that conducting internal audits and engaging legal counsel in advance can shield companies from costly penalties and help maintain control when federal agents come knocking.
Picture a typical morning on a Texas construction site: crews are setting rebar, schedules are tight, and every hour counts. Then, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer arrives, presenting a Notice of Inspection (NOI) that demands all Form I-9 records within three business days. For construction firms, with their expansive workforces and high visibility, such scrutiny is not hypothetical, it’s reality, and the consequences of unpreparedness in such a situation can be severe, from substantial fines to operational disruptions. Yet, through proactive compliance measures, construction employers can mitigate these risks and protect their business.
With federal scrutiny intensifying and penalties for noncompliance reaching six figures, construction employers can’t afford to leave I-9 compliance to chance. Conducting a thorough internal audit before an inspection is not just wise, it’s essential. A well-executed self-review allows you to catch and correct errors and demonstrate good-faith efforts if ever called upon to respond. Waiting until the government is reviewing your files is simply too late. The best time to address potential issues is before your records are under federal review.
Understanding What’s at Stake
Every U.S. employer is required to complete and retain Form I-9 for each employee hired after November 6, 1986, to verify identity and authorization to work in the United States. Employers must ensure the form is completed on time, that the documentation presented by the employee appears genuine, and that the form is properly stored and maintained.
If ICE initiates an audit, typically by issuing an NOI, you’ll be given just three business days to produce your I-9 forms and related documentation. Employers with incomplete, inaccurate, or missing forms can face steep fines. In some cases, repeat violations or knowingly hiring unauthorized workers can result in criminal liability. Moreover, if your company doesn’t have a plan in place when ICE agents show up unannounced, confusion and fear may lead to disorganized responses from your workforce.
Conducting a Voluntary Internal Audit
One of the most effective ways to reduce risk is to regularly conduct a voluntary internal I-9 audit. It demonstrates good faith to regulators and can help reduce penalties. When done correctly, it can also help employers identify systemic issues before they become legal problems.
A complete audit should include all current employees and any former employees whose I-9s fall within the retention period (three years from hire or one year after termination, whichever is later). Each form should be reviewed for completeness, valid documentation, and timely execution of both employee and employer sections.
Common mistakes include missing signatures, late completion dates, or incorrect document types. Errors must be corrected carefully: original forms should never be replaced or backdated. Corrections should be clearly marked, initialed, and dated. If a form was never completed, a new one should be filled out immediately, dated accurately, and accompanied by a written explanation.
Employers should also track expiration dates for temporary work authorizations and ensure that work eligibility is reverified before an employee’s authorization expires. Overlooking these requirements can lead to significant penalties.
Just as critical is proper storage. It is best practice to store I-9s in a secure, centralized location, separate from personnel files. Remember, employers have just three business days to produce them during an audit.
The Value of Legal Oversight
Employers often assume that a self-audit is solely an HR task. But involving legal counsel adds two major advantages. First, counsel can help ensure the audit is conducted properly, spotting both technical and substantive issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. Second, when an audit is carried out at the direction of an attorney, the findings may be protected under attorney-client privilege. That layer of confidentiality can be critical if the audit uncovers potential compliance concerns.
Legal counsel can also guide you on how to handle corrections, what to do if you discover unauthorized workers, and how to implement or revise company policies to avoid future issues.
If the Government Comes Calling
The reality is that even companies with the best of intentions may one day face an audit or enforcement visit. That’s why it’s far better to conduct your own internal audit before the government comes knocking. A well-planned audit takes time and attention to detail. It’s not a task that can be rushed under the pressure of a looming deadline. Employers who wait until they receive an NOI to get their records in order often find themselves playing catch-up with limited options.
If your company does receive an NOI, contact your legal counsel immediately. The three-day window to produce records should be used strategically: reviewing your files for completeness, flagging known deficiencies, and preparing a clear and compliant response. Keep copies of everything you provide and document your steps in detail.
If ICE agents arrive at your job site unannounced, you are entitled to request a warrant before granting access to non-public areas or employment records. If a warrant is presented, review it carefully to determine precisely what it authorizes and limit access accordingly. Assign a designated company representative to interact with agents, and ensure employees are trained not to speculate, panic, or volunteer information.
Final Thoughts
I-9 compliance may not be the most exciting part of running a construction company, but it is one of the most important. In today’s enforcement environment, failing to keep your records in order can be a costly mistake. The good news is that with the right internal processes and the support of knowledgeable legal counsel, employers can get ahead of potential problems and build a solid defense against enforcement actions before they arise.
About the Authors
Shannon Gatlin is a Principal in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and leads the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. He can be reached at (713) 535-5504 or sgatlin@cokinoslaw.com.
Kristen Maloney is an Associate in the firm’s Austin office, and a substantial amount of her practice focuses on employment law. She can be reached at 713-333-7040 or kmaloney@cokinoslaw.com.
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
Thanks to the leadership and advocacy of C|Y Principal Robert J. MacPherson, Wade Electric secured a major legal victory against the City of New York. In November of 2006, Wade Electric was awarded a contract by the City of New York to upgrade the City’s emergency electrical generator plant at 125 Worth Street, New York, NY. The lump sum contract amount was $8,752,752.00. Due to circumstances beyond Wade’s control, Wade could not begin its work until April 2007 and was unable to complete the work until September 2011, two years later than anticipated. The City blamed the delays on Wade, refused to pay Wade its undisputed contract balance of $526,000, claiming the City was owed liquidated delay damages in excess of that, and refused to pay Wade any of its costs arising out of the delay.
Wade commenced litigation against the City, which, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, was itself delayed. The matter was settled when the City agreed to pay Wade its $526,000.00 contract balance, plus $950,000.00 as compensation for Wade’s costs arising from the construction delays. The delay claim settlement was the second-largest paid by the City on a contract claim for the fiscal year 2024.
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
From prompt payment statutes and retainage rules to project delivery methods and licensing requirements, this guide is essential reading for contractors, developers, and construction law professionals operating in Texas. Download the full article below.
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that Matt Thompson has been named Chair of the Construction Law section of the Houston Bar Association for the 2025-2026 term. The group’s purpose is to promote the objective and standards of professionalism of the Houston Bar Association within the field of construction law.
About the Houston Bar Association
Established in 1870, the Association’s “purpose was to maintain high standards in the legal profession and provide legal education for Harris County attorneys. Today, the HBA, one of the largest metropolitan bar associations in the nation, still adheres to those basic principles, but has expanded its goals to include public service and better access to legal services for all citizens in the Greater Houston area.”
The purpose of the Construction Law Section is to promote the objective and standards of professionalism of the Houston Bar Association within the field of construction law. This section comprises construction law practitioners.
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
New Jersey Principal Robbie MacPherson has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American College of Construction Lawyers (ACCL) Foundation. Established in 2021, the ACCL Foundation is a charitable organization governed by members of the American College of Construction Lawyers and is dedicated to supporting educational and teaching opportunities in construction law and dispute resolution. Robbie has been an active member of the College and brings a deep commitment to the Foundation’s mission. His appointment reflects his leadership in the field and his ongoing efforts to support legal education in the construction industry.
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that Robert J. MacPherson has been recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers®. This is Robbie’s 19th year of being recognized by the publication.
This distinction is held by less than five percent of Texas lawyers and selections are made on a state-by-state basis. Independent research consisting of an evaluation of 12 varying indicators of professional achievement combined with peer nominations and evaluations are employed to determine this accolade.
The 2025 rankings appear in the March issue of New Jersey Super Lawyers® magazine.
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.
The Cokinos | Young Insurance Coverage Team has authored a second edition of the C|Y White Paper providing analysis of the Texas Anti-Indemnity Act. It was first published in December 2011, immediately prior to the effective date of the Act on January 1, 2012. The white paper has been periodically updated over the years, but the Coverage Team felt a rework was warranted in order to include all revisions all in one place in the second edition. A PDF is below, that Pat Wielinski presented at the 38th Construction Insurance Law Conference on March 6 in San Antonio. We hope you find the newly revised white paper to be of use in navigating your way through the ongoing complexities of the Act.
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