In Memoriam: Kenneth (Kent) F. Antley (1947-2017)

November 27, 2017

We mourn the untimely and unexpected loss of our partner and friend, Kent Antley who passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2017. Kent was a man of rare kindness, patience and intelligence with a selfless dedication to his family, community and profession. He will be missed by us all but his legacy will endure.

Please direct business-related inquiries to Mike Marshall 404.962.6442 or Elaine Anderson 404.962.6170.

Kent attended Davidson College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He studied at the University of London as a Fulbright scholar, after which he attained his law degree from Duke University. Following law school, Kent clerked for the Honorable R. Lanier Anderson, Judge of the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Macon, Georgia. Following his clerkship, Kent taught at Mercer Law School. In 1985, he entered the private practice of law as a corporate attorney in Atlanta. Kent focused his practice on the developing field of technology-oriented start-ups. He quickly gained recognition as an influential and important force in Atlanta's technology industry. In 2004, Kent joined Miller & Martin and remained our law partner until the time of his death. His long time legal assistant Elaine Anderson was his right hand and he valued her as a dear friend.

Kent’s reach and involvement cast a wide shadow. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Justice Project, President of the Business and Technology Alliance (which later became the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)), and was a founding sponsor of the Atlanta Chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum, which later awarded him its first Lifetime Membership Award. Kent’s involvement was not limited to the law. He also helped found and was on the board of Tech High School, a charter school. Kent spent his leisure time actively volunteering his talents in the Chancel Choir at Glenn Memorial UMC where he was Chair of the Board of Trustees at the time of his death. Kent was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 77 where his son Christopher attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Kent was the type of lawyer who did not think of those he helped as clients, but rather as friends that he could help navigate sometimes difficult and confusing waters. Kent provided a steady hand to many in the technology community. He was there as the industry was born and remained instrumental in its growth. In all aspects of life, Kent was a gentleman. He shied away from recognition for the many successes he helped others achieve. Kent’s reward was making a difference in the life of another.

Kent always looked out for the underserved and gave tirelessly to his church and his community. To those who had the privilege of knowing him, Kent had a certain stillness and gentle patience about him that put everyone at ease. He saw a basic goodness in everyone and believed that every individual deserved to be loved. Kent was recently blessed with two granddaughters with whom he was entirely smitten.