Adams educated at Bishop Feild College and Dalhousie University where he received his law degree in 1952. He returned to St. John's, where he articled with R. A. Parsons.[2] He was elected Councillor in the St. John's municipal elections and held the position as Deputy Mayor from 1962 to 1965. In 1966 he was elected Mayor[3] and held that position for eight years.[1] He was named Queen's Counsel in 1963.[2]
Adams was elected to the House of Assembly in 1962 as a Liberal for the district of St. John's West. He resigned that position to take his job as Mayor. In June 1971 he was appointed Minister without Portfolio in the provincial government and became MHA for Twillingate in the 1971 general election.[1]
Adams resigned from provincial politics on March 1, 1972. In November, 1973, he was defeated in his re-election campaign by Dorothy Wyatt. Five years later, he was appointed to the bench as Judge with the Newfoundland District Court.[1] In 1979, he was named chief justice in the district court.[4]
