Iowa Supreme Court
Adams had built up an excellent reputation in the 1860s, so when he was chosen to be a justice on the Iowa Supreme Court, the choice was welcomed with widespread approval. He began his term on the Iowa Supreme Court on January 1, 1876, leaving the firm of Adams, Robison & Lacy. He was Chief Justice for four years, from 1880–81 and 1886–87. He was the first Chief Justice to admit a woman to practice in the Iowa Supreme Court. He later commended her for the way she tried the case. As a justice he slowly came to conclusions but then always stood by them. He never tried to appeal to popular opinion in cases. In June 1886 he presided over the opening of the new Supreme Court Rooms. His second term ended December 31, 1887, and he decided not to accept another term.
His decisions can be found in Volumes 42–73 of the Iowa Reports.
In 1883, Dartmouth honored him with an LL. D.
Read more about this topic: Austin Adams
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