The Honorable Lydia Nance Adams was born and raised in the city of Detroit by her mother, where she and her younger sister attended Detroit Public Schools. Judge Adams graduated from Thomas M. Cooley High School in 1978, earned her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Western Michigan University in 1986 and her Juris Doctorate Degree from the Detroit College of Law in 1990.

Judge Adams’ legal service began as a contract administrator with Detroit Public Television (WTVS) and broadened as an investigator and legal analyst for the Michigan Department of Commerce. Her public service continued as an Assistant Corporation Counsel at the 36th District Court while litigating municipal ordinance violations for the City of Detroit. 

In 1996, Judge Adams was elected to serve on the 36th District Court with the promise to adjudicate with integrity and fairness and she continues to uphold this pledge to the citizens of Detroit. As judge of the Environmental Docket, she extended her commitment to public service by her involvement with neighborhood associations throughout Detroit. Currently Judge Adams adjudicates all matters under the jurisdiction of the 36th District Court and remains active with her community and its youth.