Q&A with Patricia Krebs, New Orleans Bar Association president

Age: 59

Family: husband David; children, Brandy Beck, Charlie Green; four grandchildren

Education: bachelor's degree in history, East Texas State University; master's degree and Ph.D. in European history, Tulane University; juris doctor, Tulane University Law School

Hometown: Gilmer,

Dropping out of high school after the 11th grade to have her first child didn't derail Texas-native Patricia Krebs from her goal.

"I knew early on that I wanted to go to law school," said Krebs, who came to New Orleans in 1973 on a one-year, post-graduate scholarship at Tulane University.

"I liked it, things went alright and they continued the assistance, so I stayed. "

As a partner at King, Krebs and Jurgens law firm, which she joined upon its creation in 1985 after leaving Milling Benson, Krebs focuses on admiralty, products liability, and business and construction litigation.

She began her presidency of the New Orleans Bar Association on Nov. 19.

Did dropping out of high school shape who you are today?

Absolutely. I completed the 11th grade and after my son was born that following fall, I finished high school by correspondence courses and graduated with my class. I wanted very much to go to college. No one in my family had gone to college.

Focusing on admiralty, are you an avid boater?

No. I really got into admiralty because here it's mostly Gulf of Mexico work, guys getting hurt on boats, platforms. I come from a very working class background and I identify with the people who are working out there. My father was a pipeliner.

What's the worst lawyer joke out there?

I don't like to listen to lawyer jokes and I don't tell lawyer jokes. Everybody thinks they're funny. Sometimes they are.

Do you think attorneys have a bad reputation?

It's undeserved. I think that comes from a lack of understanding just how much lawyers really do. There are a lot of TV shows that portray a jaded profession. This is me being over-serious, but we truly have been graced with a bar that's stepped up to the plate, especially in the past four years with pro bono cases and helping attorneys and clients.

Which Supreme Court justice would you most like to have lunch with?

That's easy. (Ruth Bader) Ginsburg. I think she has an extremely strong intellect and excellent legal mind, and it would be interesting to listen and learn from her.

What one case in history you would want to go back and work on?

Brown v. Board of Education, something like that. Everyone would love to be involved in one of those. It's something that actually shapes law.

Any advice for students studying for the bar exam?

Stay centered and really study hard. I know some people have said to me they didn't think the bar exam was hard, and maybe I'm dense, but I found it extremely difficult.

What's the No. 1 item on your Christmas list that you'd really like?

To take a Safari trip with my husband, children and grandchildren.