StM News

Family: Mother Judy Fremaux Adams ’64, sister Leigh Adams Deutcsh ’94, son Miles Adams, class of 2034.

Time as a Student: “13-Year Club Member” (Kindergarten through 12th Grade)

After StM: B.A. in Journalism, University of Alabama; J.D., Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.

Partner at Deutsch Kerrigan, LLP where she serves as the Chair of Toxic Tort and Environmental Practice Group and is a member of the management committee.

What originally drew your family to St. Martin's?

My mother graduated from St. Martin's and loved her time here. When it was time to choose a school for my sister and me, my parents were interested in a school with strong academics, and a faith-based community. Of course, the legacy, following my mother, was also an important factor. I actually remember my first visit to St. Martin's and testing with Mrs. Conatser and seeing friends I already knew.  It was not a hard decision for my parents to make.

How does it feel to share that legacy with your son?

I love reliving some of the same traditions that I enjoyed as a student. Recently Miles (Second Grade, at the time of interview) has been learning about who Martin de Tours was and meeting his buddies for St. Martin’s Day, and I can remember doing that in Lower School. I love when Miles comes home singing a song from Chapel, because it makes me remember that family feeling of sitting in the Chapel with other students, which was so special. And I actually still remember most of the words!

What are your hopes for Miles that you have even more confidence in with the school's new leadership?

I am thankful that Miles will have the same opportunities that I had as a student. St. Martin's allows students to explore who they want to be, and offers an environment that can support them in whichever path they choose. Beyond just strong academics and a foundation of faith, St. Martin's understands and appreciates how important athletics and extracurriculars can be for development. The school offers a wealth of programs and opportunities that tie together to build the whole person.

How did your student experience prepare you for where you are today?

I felt like I was overly prepared for college after graduating from St. Martin's, and I attribute my professional success today to my experience as a Saint. True to its motto, St. Martin’s prepared me for life. The school offers multiple ways to build a student’s confidence. I was always an active reader, and English and Language Arts were my favorite subjects. Teachers like Jane Henson and André Herrington in Middle School and Eileen Beckman in Upper School taught me how to be an analytical thinker, which has helped me as a lawyer. Their classes really had an impact on me and were true confidence and skill builders.

The school offered teachers with such a depth of experience and backgrounds. Speech and Debate with Jimmy Cox helped me hone my skills to become a strong public speaker, and encouraged me to pursue the field I'm in today by helping me gain confidence and become comfortable with public speaking. I also owe a lot to Chuck Rivet's class. Having a lawyer as a Civics teacher in high school was amazing. My first “arguments” were in a mock trial competition that we entered as Sophomores in high school.  

I was also a member of the cheerleading, volleyball and basketball teams from 7th grade through high school, and being a part of those teams helped me develop my patience and ability to work as a team. It gave me tools for self-improvement and leadership skills, which I definitely have used in my professional life.