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Adam Noakes brings a lifetime of service, discipline, and legal experience to the Superior Court bench. A U.S. Army veteran, he served on active duty as an enlisted infantry soldier and was selected for the prestigious 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), participating in thousands of ceremonial missions, including a presidential inauguration and memorial services at Arlington National Cemetery as part of a full-honors firing party rendering the 21-gun salute in tribute to service members. His military service reflects honor, precision, and respect for solemn duty.
Prior to the Army, Adam spent two years (1999–2001) as a full-time missionary in Brazil, where he gained cultural perspective and saw firsthand how communities suffer when trust in the justice system is lost. He earned his J.D. from UCLA School of Law and an LL.M. in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University’s nationally ranked Straus Institute, strengthening his skills in principled conflict resolution.
Adam practiced civil litigation for eight years before becoming an Administrative Law Judge in 2020. He has since presided over more than 1,100 cases, applying the law with fairness, independence, and respect for due process. Married for 21 years and a father of four daughters, Adam is deeply invested in San Diego’s families and remains committed to upholding the rule of law and promoting public confidence in our courts.
Every decision must be grounded in the law and the facts presented. Consistency and impartiality are essential to maintaining public confidence in our courts.
All parties deserve to be heard with dignity. A calm, disciplined courtroom environment leads to better outcomes and clearer justice.
With military service, civil litigation experience, and over 1,100 cases presided over as an Administrative Law Judge, Adam is ready to serve from day one.
From service abroad to the courtroom, each chapter reflects preparation to serve with integrity.
Served two years as a missionary in Brazil, directly observing how poverty and distrust in justice erode society—reinforcing his dedication to fair, impartial, and trustworthy courts.
Served as an enlisted infantry soldier in the U.S. Army and was selected for the prestigious 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), where duty and honor defined every solemn act—from honoring fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery to upholding the highest standards of precision and respect—something he will bring to the bench.
Earned a J.D. from UCLA School of Law and later completed an LL.M. in Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, consistently ranked #1 or #2 in the nation for Dispute Resolution.
Served as a civil litigator at one of the world’s largest law firms, gaining deep experience in high-volume, high-impact civil matters, followed by a year and a half in boutique practices that sharpened his ability to resolve disputes with precision and practicality.
Serves as an Administrative Law Judge since 2020, presiding over more than 1,100 cases with fairness, independence, and impartiality.
