Timothy J. Tracey

Associate Professor of Law

Appellate Advocacy Bankruptcy Law Commercial Law Constitutional Law Constitutional Interpretation Contract Law First Amendment Law Public Interest Law Religious Liberty

Professor Timothy J. Tracey teaches and writes in the areas of constitutional law, religious liberty, and First Amendment jurisprudence at Ave Maria School of Law. Before entering academia, he practiced public interest litigation and handled numerous free speech and religious liberty cases in federal and state appellate courts nationwide.

Phone: (239) 687-5391
Office: Administration Building

Biography

Professor Timothy J. Tracey is a member of the faculty at Ave Maria School of Law, where he teaches and writes in the areas of constitutional law, public interest litigation, religious liberty, and First Amendment jurisprudence.

Professor Tracey earned his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2002 and received his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Thought from Grove City College in 1999.

He began his legal career with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia, where his practice focused on commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters. During this time, Professor Tracey developed a strong interest in constitutional law and First Amendment litigation.

Professor Tracey subsequently joined the Center for Law & Religious Freedom in Northern Virginia, where he litigated numerous cases involving free speech, religious liberty, freedom of association, and constitutional rights. He later continued this work at the Alliance Defense Fund in Washington, D.C., handling First Amendment and religious liberty litigation involving universities, public institutions, and religious organizations.

Throughout his legal career, Professor Tracey has handled appellate matters before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits, as well as before the California Court of Appeals and Kentucky Court of Appeals.

His scholarship and public commentary have focused on religious liberty, university nondiscrimination policies, freedom of association, constitutional interpretation, and the rights of religious organizations within public institutions. He has also appeared as a commentator in both local and national media outlets, including The Washington Post and Time Magazine.

Professor Tracey has presented lectures and conference papers nationwide on constitutional law, religious liberty, university student rights, freedom of association, and integrating faith with legal education and practice.

Education

  • J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law, 2002
  • B.A., Christian Thought, Grove City College, 1999

Professional Experience

Professor Timothy J. Tracey began his legal career at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia, where he practiced commercial litigation and bankruptcy law.

After developing a professional interest in First Amendment law and religious liberty, Professor Tracey joined the Center for Law & Religious Freedom in Northern Virginia, where he litigated numerous cases involving free speech, religious liberty, freedom of association, and constitutional rights.

He later practiced with the Alliance Defense Fund in Washington, D.C., where he continued litigating First Amendment and religious liberty cases.

Professor Tracey has handled appeals before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits, as well as before the California Court of Appeals and Kentucky Court of Appeals.

In addition to his legal practice, Professor Tracey has written and spoken extensively on constitutional law, religious liberty, university nondiscrimination policies, and freedom of association.

Honors & Professional Affiliations

Commentator in local and national media, including The Washington Post and Time Magazine

Courses Taught

  • Contracts and negotiable instruments
  • Constitutional Law
  • First Amendment Law
  • Religious Liberty
  • Public Interest Litigation

Media & Speaking Topics

Constitutional Law, Religious Liberty

Publications

  • “Christian Legal Society v. Martinez: In Hindsight,” University of Hawaii Law Review (forthcoming Fall 2012).
  • “Nondiscrimination Rules and Religious Associational Freedom,” Engage: Journal of the Federalist Society Practice Groups, Vol. 8, Issue 3 (June 2007).
  • “New Supreme Court Appointment Could Surprise on Religion, Freedoms,” Naples Daily News, August 21, 2010.
  • “National Health-Care Law,” Naples Daily News, December 15, 2010.
  • “More to the Texas Graduation/Prayer Case Than Meets the Eye,” Naples Daily News, June 7, 2011.

Presentations

  • “A Return to the Original Understanding of University Students’ Rights,” Religious Legal Theory Conference, Pepperdine University School of Law (2012).
  • “The Demise of Equal Access and the Christian Response,” Young Legal Scholars Forum, Stetson University College of Law (2011).
  • “Integrating Faith and Legal Study,” Christian Legal Society National Conference, Orlando, Florida (2010).
  • “First Amendment Free Speech and Association: Trends and Challenges,” Christian Legal Society National Conference, Sandestin, Florida (2007).
  • Panel Discussion Concerning Christian Legal Society v. Kane, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California (2007).
  • “Religious Freedom and University Nondiscrimination Policies,” University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, South Carolina (2006).
  • “Nondiscrimination Policies: Facing the New Threat to Religious Liberty,” Christian Legal Society Northeast Regional Conference, Speculator, New York (2006).