Antony Kolenc

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law

Administrative Law Appellate Advocacy Civil Litigation Constitutional Law Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Ethics & Professional Responsibility Federal Courts First Amendment Law Law & Religion Litigation Military Law Moot Court & Advocacy National Security Law Oral Advocacy Religious Liberty Trial Advocacy Veterans Law

Professor Antony “Tony” Kolenc is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at Ave Maria School of Law. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force JAG Corps, he served more than 21 years as a military attorney before entering legal academia. Professor Kolenc joined the Ave Maria School of Law faculty in 2022 and is a recognized scholar, author, and educator whose work focuses on constitutional law, military policy, and religious liberty.

Phone: (239) 687-5396
Office: Administration Building #

Biography

Professor Antony “Tony” Kolenc joined the faculty of Ave Maria School of Law in 2022 as Director of the Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic (VSLC), where he supervises and mentors students representing veterans and servicemembers in litigation, administrative proceedings, and veterans treatment courts. Through the clinic, students gain hands-on experience serving those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Professor Kolenc previously served more than 21 years in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his military legal career, he litigated both civil and criminal cases before trial and appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. His extensive experience in military justice and constitutional law informs both his scholarship and classroom teaching.

Before joining Ave Maria School of Law, Professor Kolenc taught at several law schools, including the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and Florida Coastal School of Law, where he served as a tenured professor.

Professor Kolenc earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1999, graduating at the top of his class. While at Florida, he served as a senior editor of the Florida Law Review and participated as both a competitor and coach on the Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board. He also earned a Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

His scholarship and professional writing focus on constitutional law, military policy, and religious liberty, particularly issues involving the Free Exercise Clause and freedom of religion. His articles have appeared in numerous academic journals and publications. In addition to his legal scholarship, Professor Kolenc writes a regular legal column for homeschooling families in Practical Homeschooling Magazine and is the author of an award-winning historical fiction trilogy for young readers.

Professor Kolenc and his wife, Alisa, homeschooled their five children. Additional information about his writing and professional work may be found at antonykolenc.com.

Education

  • J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law, 1999
  • M.A., Theology and Christian Ministry, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Professional Experience

Professor Antony “Tony” Kolenc serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at Ave Maria School of Law. In his role as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, he oversees key aspects of the law school’s academic program while continuing to contribute to the intellectual and professional formation of students.

Professor Kolenc joined the Ave Maria School of Law faculty in 2022 as Director of the Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic (VSLC), where he supervised students representing veterans and servicemembers in litigation, administrative proceedings, and veterans treatment courts.

Prior to joining Ave Maria School of Law, Professor Kolenc served more than 21 years in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his military legal career, he litigated both civil and criminal matters before trial and appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Professor Kolenc has also served as a faculty member at multiple law schools, including the United States Air Force Academy and Florida Coastal School of Law, where he was a tenured professor. In addition to his legal scholarship, he is a published author whose work focuses on constitutional law, military policy, and religious liberty.

Honors & Professional Affiliations

  • Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps (Ret.)
  • Director, Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic, Ave Maria School of Law
  • Senior Editor, Florida Law Review
  • Competitor and Coach, Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board
  • Tenured Professor, Florida Coastal School of Law
  • Faculty Member, United States Air Force Academy
  • Published Scholar in Constitutional Law, Military Law, and Religious Liberty
  • Author, Practical Homeschooling Magazine legal column
  • Award-Winning Author, Historical Fiction Trilogy for Young Readers