Judy Sheindlin says ‘I don’t want to do hair and makeup anymore’ as ‘Judy Justice’ ends and son stars in spin-off
Judy Sheindlin will retire from her television courtroom career as Judy Justice concludes next month. She announced that her son, Adam Levy, will succeed her as the lead of a new syndicated small-claims court series, Adam’s Law. The 83-year-old judge told People she is ready for a new chapter but remains committed to sharing her message with audiences.
Sheindlin prepares to leave the spotlight
Judy Justice, which began in 2021, is scheduled to end on October 22, 2026, concluding Sheindlin’s on-screen tenure as the famously tough-talking judge. She will continue her involvement as the producer of Adam’s Law, a new series modeled after Judge Judy, set to premiere September 14.
Sheindlin told People she looks forward to new pursuits, including spending time with family, enjoying afternoon naps, and developing Judyverse, an adult animated series inspired by the viral AI “Baby Judge Judy” videos. She said, “I don’t want to do hair and makeup anymore, but I still want my message to get out there.”
Levy will take center stage
Regarding Levy, 58, and his upcoming project, Sheindlin said, “There aren’t a lot of people who can carry a half hour on their own unscripted. He has what it takes.”
Levy previously appeared on Prime Video’s Tribunal Justice, a judge-focused series that ran for three seasons beginning in 2023. His television work followed a legal career that included two terms as district attorney in Putnam County, New York, and experience in private practice.
Sheindlin believes Levy is now prepared for this opportunity. She said, “Maybe eight years ago he wasn’t ready. He’s ready now.”
A legal career shaped by his mother
Levy is one of two children Sheindlin had with her former husband, Ronald Levy. The couple divorced in 1976, and Sheindlin married Jerry Sheindlin in 1978. They divorced in 1990, then remarried in 1991 and have been together ever since.
After graduating from Hofstra Law School in New York, Levy declined a job offer to take a year off and pursue work as a ski instructor, a decision his mother said she “was not happy” about.
When the Suffolk County district attorney’s office later called with another offer, Sheindlin took matters into her own hands, telling them, “Hi, this is Adam Levy’s mom. And yes, he’s going to take that job.”
Levy and his wife, Lori Leichtman, have three children, including Sarah Rose, who appears as a law clerk on Judy Justice.
Sheindlin feels content
Before becoming a television star, Sheindlin worked as a prosecutor and family court judge. She first appeared on TV as a judge in 1996, and Judge Judy later ran as a syndicated show for 25 seasons, ending with its 2021 finale. Her work earned her three Daytime Emmys for Judge Judy and another for Judy Justice.
With Judy Justice approaching its final episode, Sheindlin said she feels no need to extend her time onscreen, noting, “I don’t have to prove anything else. I did it. I don’t think that I’ve ever been this content before.”