Name: Fallon Coleman-Hadley
Graduated: 1996
Graduated from: After finishing at St Thomas, I attended Bishop Chatard High School, Class of 2000 and onto Indiana University-Bloomington where I graduated in 2005. I then graduated from Indiana University McKinney School of Law in 2009!
Where do you live now: Fishers, Indiana.
What have you been up to since STA: I graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Communications & Culture. I then attended Indiana University McKinney School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate in 2009. While in law school, I was nominated for the Edward P. Archer Labor Law Award and served as a certified legal intern with the Criminal Defense Clinic. Through the Criminal Defense Clinic, I advocated for the exoneration of clients wrongfully convicted of a crime through post-conviction relief. Additionally, I volunteered as a legal intern with the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic in which I researched immigration policies, as well as, prepared various applications on behalf of clients with immigration issues. I have been dedicated to serving those who have little to no voice due to language barriers or financial hardships.
I maintained my passion and commitment to helping those with little to no voice by joining the Marion County Public Defender Agency as an attorney after graduating from law school. I am fluent in Spanish and as such was able to zealously represent both English and Spanish speaking defendants in minor and major felony offenses. Within one year of employment, I was promoted to Assistant Division Chief Supervisor for the misdemeanor attorneys with the Marion County Public Defender Agency. There I trained new attorneys to be excellent litigators and advocates for the clients.
In 2012, I became an Administrative Judge with the United States Department of Agriculture in the National Appeals Division. I currently conducts federal administrative hearings and adjudicates disputes between government agencies and the public.
Family: I married Matthew William Hadley on September 10, 2011. I have a 16-year-old stepson, Matthew William Hadley Jr.; a five-year-old son, Alexander William Hadley; and we welcomed Nickolas Sebastian Hadley on July 19, 2018. Alexander is currently in the Kindergarten class and is really loving school. We are so blessed to have returned to the St. Thomas Aquinas School family where they combine faith with education and celebration the uniqueness of each student.
A fact that I find interesting is that in the past two years the Coleman family has graduated three students from law school.
What is your favorite STA memory: I loved being part of the speech team. In fact, that is where I found my passion for public and motivational speaking. Honestly, I have many fond memories of STA including my science fair project where we had to build an egg crate that would prevent the egg from shattering when dropped from a ladder. Unfortunately, I don’t recall being successful with that science project. I also loved the senior camping trip and distinctly remember my cabin singing and dancing one night.
What do you like to do in your spare time: When I am not being a mom or working professional, I love, and I mean absolutely love to dance. I founded Alexander Coleman Dance Company LLC in 2016. We specialize in Latin fusion dance teams and train adult and youth ladies in the rhythms of Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha, Samba, Bachata, and Merengue; which are typically fused in a choreography that has elements of Hip-Hop, Afro-Beats, and Jazz. I am 36 and I am still performing and competing in Ballroom DanceSport competitions and Latin dance congresses. My company has performed at the Las Vegas Salsa and Bachata Congress, Wisconsin Salsa Open, St. Louis Salsa and Bachata Festival, Chicago International Salsa Congress, Pacer and Fever games, Circle City Classic Parade, and the International Festival to name of few. Our dancers range from 6 to 60+ and come from all ethnic backgrounds.
What words of advice would you offer a current STA student: Take advantage of all clubs and teams that St. Thomas Aquinas School has to offer. Fellowship and use this time to find yourself and discover your greatest potential.