Judge Judy’s Son Debuts ‘Adam’s Law’ With a Fact-Based Approach to Court TV

One week into its run, the new daytime court series “Adam’s Law” has already established a clear ethos: do not lie, do not cry, and rely on common sense. The Monday-through-Friday syndicated program premiered on September 14, marking a significant gamble by CBS that the court-show genre still has room for new figures.

Presiding over the bench is Adam Levy, 57, who brings substantial television experience from his previous role on the Amazon Prime Video series “Tribunal Justice.” Beyond screen time, Levy has a robust legal background as a former prosecutor and district attorney for New York’s Putnam County, along with years of private practice. Perhaps most notably, he is the son of Judith Sheindlin, widely recognized as the most famous jurist in American television history.

Levy’s connection to the law is deeply familial. His mother rose to prominence as a Manhattan family court judge before becoming a TV star, and his stepfather, Jerry Sheindlin, also served as a judge on “The People’s Court” from 1999 to 2001. Despite this high-profile lineage, Levy remains dismissive of critics who might label him a beneficiary of nepotism.

“Despite all of the naysayers who will cast aspersions simply because I am the son of a famous person, it doesn’t bother me,” Levy told Variety. “I’ve tried many cases. I know I was good at it. I have the skill set to do this job. I haven’t put in place these unrealistic expectations for myself, like becoming more famous or better than Judy was — ever. We’re different.”

A key distinction between Levy and his mother lies in his pre-production methodology. While Sheindlin preferred to encounter evidence fresh on set to avoid appearing rehearsed, Levy insists on days of preparation. He argues that because litigants waive their right to small-claims court to have him adjudicate, the rulings must be grounded in thorough fact-checking.

“No other court shows do that,” Levy explained. “That was my requirement… I had to make sure that my adjudication was based upon facts.”

The show is filmed in Stamford, Connecticut, where the production team tapes five to eight cases per day. Each session resembles a mini-trial, beginning with an opening statement, followed by direct examination, cross-examination to test veracity against independent evidence, and a final summation. The volume is high, with nearly 20 verdicts issued each week.

Levy, who grew up in New York City during the turbulent 1980s and 90s, credits his upbringing for his ability to assess character quickly. He noted that navigating the city required him to size up situations and people rapidly for safety, a skill he found transferable to the law. “Common sense and sizing up people was part of growing up in New York City,” he said.

As Judith Sheindlin officially steps back from on-camera duties, she remains active as a producer on “Adam’s Law.” Her own career will be honored on Tuesday night with the CBS special “Judge Judy: Unfiltered, Unforgettable.”

Levy emphasizes that education is central to the show’s mission, alongside entertainment. He urges viewers to respect the court process and avoid emotional manipulation. “I’m immune from [crying],” he stated. “I care about facts — I could care less about your feelings. What I care about is that you come to court and you tell the truth.”

“Adam’s Law” is currently airing in national syndication on weekdays.