Judge Judy Passes The Gavel To Son Adam Levy With One Warning

For three decades, Judge Judith Sheindlin was perhaps the most recognizable name in the world of courtroom TV. Her show, “Judge Judy,” debuted in 1996, and from then until the end of “Judy Justice” in 2026, Judge Sheindlin dominated the genre with her no-nonsense approach to small-claims court. Now, as she prepares to step away from her on-camera courtroom career, her son Adam Levy is taking up the gavel with a courtroom show of his own.

Levy, 57, is the presiding judge on “Adam's Law,” a syndicated reality courtroom series created by Sheindlin. The show premiered on September 14, and Levy recently recalled the advice his mother gave him before taking on the new role. While she offered her support, she did so with the same bluntness that made Judge Judy such a constant presence in millions of homes.

Judge Judy Told Her Son Not To Mess It Up

Before Levy launched “Adam’s Law,” his mother provided him with a combination of encouragement and straightforward advice that could only come from Judge Judy. “She said, ‘You've got this. I know you've got this. Have fun, do what you do, don't let people lead you to places where you don't feel comfortable, be true to yourself, and don't screw this up,’” Levy recalled.

Levy said that the advice was not entirely new. According to reports, she had given him the same warning before he made his television debut on Prime Video’s “Tribunal Justice.” Levy has now moved from serving as one of several judges on “Tribunal Justice” to leading his own courtroom series. “Adam's Law” is produced by Sheindlin's Queen Bee Productions and distributed nationally by CBS Media Ventures.

Adam Levy Has A Legal Career Of His Own

Much like his mother, Adam Levy built an impressive legal career long before he stepped in front of a camera. Levy has practiced law for more than 25 years and previously served two terms as district attorney in Putnam County, New York. He also worked as a criminal prosecutor before moving into televised courtroom programs.

Levy has been open about the fact that making the transition to a television courtroom comes with a unique brand of pressure. His mother had already spent decades establishing herself as one of the most successful figures in televised courtrooms. Not only has Levy worried about how audiences would perceive him in comparison to her, but he also had to tackle the idea of potentially letting her down. He has also acknowledged that his family connection gave him an opportunity that other lawyers and judges might not have had.

He Still Wanted To Establish His Own Style

While he’s moving into the seat that his mother held for three decades, Levy said his courtroom approach is not exactly like his mother’s. Judge Judy became famous for cutting through what she considered irrelevant arguments and confronting litigants when she believed they were being dishonest. Levy said he shares her intolerance for nonsense and expects people appearing before him to tell the truth, but he considers his own style somewhat different.

Most notably, he said that he believes that he’s a bit more understanding than his predecessor, a fact that he believes stems from growing up with his mother. According to Levy, there were situations where he was telling the truth, but his mother was hesitant to believe him. Remembering how that felt has influenced how he approaches people whose stories initially seem inconsistent with common sense.

In addition to a new way to approach the people in his courtroom, Adam Levy is also rethinking how evidence is presented in his court. On her show, Judith Sheindlin typically received case materials and evidence while the case was being presented to her. Levy said that he wants more information before the cases reach him, so litigants will file their evidence ahead of the hearing.

That approach allows him to review the material before the hearing and, when appropriate, investigate information about the people involved. Levy said the additional preparation is intended to help him understand the cases more thoroughly rather than relying exclusively on what litigants tell him during the proceeding.

The Gavel Is Moving To The Next Generation

For Adam Levy, taking over his mother’s spot on daytime TV isn’t just about continuing her legacy. It’s about building one of his own. He grew up watching his mother build a career around the courtroom, then developed his own career as a prosecutor and district attorney before eventually moving into television. Now he is the one sitting behind the bench while his mother watches from a different position.

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