Biography
Prior to his tenure on the California Court of Appeal, Sixth District from 2003 to 2011, Justice McAdams served over 26 years on the bench in Santa Cruz County, including four years as the court’s solo Family law judge. He also heard family law cases, as assigned, while presiding in other departments throughout his trial bench career and taught selected family law topics in various judicial education programs. Prior to assuming the bench, a significant part of his law practice was devoted to family law matters. He also heard family law, estate, probate and trust matters, as assigned, while presiding in other departments throughout his trial bench career.
Representative Matters
On the Court of Appeal, Justice McAdams authored many opinions concerning family issues including:
- In re Marriage of Blazer (2009) 176 Cal.App.4th 1438 (self-employed spouse, business reinvestment and determination of spousal support)
- In re Marriage of Rossin (2009) 172 Cal.App.4th 725 (characterization of private disability benefits)
- Librers v. Black (2004) (presumed fatherhood and standing to bring paternity action)
- In re Marriage of Tejeda (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 973(putative spouse issues)
In addition, he authored unpublished opinions on a variety of family law issues including:
- termination and modification of child and spousal support
- community property business apportionment issues
- reimbursements (“Watts” issues)
- omitted assets
- goodwill value of businesses
- stock options and support
- rescission of marital settlement agreements
- sanctions under F.C. §271
- nullity
- Has mediated disputes involving:
- property division
- custody and visitation
- child and spousal support and attorney fees
- post-judgment issues
- termination of Domestic Partnership
- “Marvin” issues
- Has served as an arbitrator in cases involving:
- post-judgment issues
- visitation
- child support
- spousal support
- property issues including deferred sale of family home and attorney fees
- Appellate Justice of the Year, Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association, 2010
- Member, California Judges Association, 1977–present
- Executive Board, 1989–1992
- Various Committees, 1986–2003 (including Civil Law & Procedures Committee and Family Law Committee, 1995–1997)
- Member, Judicial Council Civil Jury Instructions Advisory Committee (CACI), 2008–2011
- Judicial Educator, California Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER), 1987– 2008 (including chair of the Civil Law Education Committee, chair of the Continuing Judicial Studies Program (CJSP), and Civil Law and Procedure faculty member (Judicial College, Civil Law and Procedure Institute and CJSP)
- Co-Chair and Member, Appellate Courts Committee, Santa Clara County Bar Association, 2008–2011
- "An Appealing Approach"; Daily Journal; March 2, 2012
- Appellate Justice, Sixth District Court of Appeal, 2003-2011
- Superior Court Judge, Santa Cruz County, 1998-2003
- Municipal Court Judge, Santa Cruz County, 1977-1998
- Assigned to Superior Court, 1994-1998
- Presiding Judge, 1980, 1984, 1987, and 1990
- Founding Partner, Fox McAdams and Popin, 1974-1977
- Solo practice, 1973
- Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Santa Cruz, 1970-1973
- Acting Director, 1973
- Attorney, Jarvis, Miller and Stender, 1969-1970
- J.D., Hastings College of Law, 1968
- B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1965
News
Events
Practice Areas
- Appellate
- Arbitration
- Business/Commercial
- Education/Schools
- Employment
- Environmental/Land Use
- Estates/Probate/Trusts
- Family Law
- Governmental/Public Agency
- Personal Injury/Torts
- Real Property
Locations
Select to Print
Biography
Media
Additional Information
Disclaimer
This page is for general information purposes. JAMS makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness. Interested persons should conduct their own research regarding information on this website before deciding to use JAMS, including investigation and research of JAMS neutrals. See More