TCDA Promotes Three Prosecutors to Leadership
District Attorney Tim Ward is pleased to announce the promotions of three veteran prosecutors to upper-level management positions in the Office of the District Attorney. Jessica Weatherly is promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney, with Noelle Niayesh and Adam Clare promoting to Assistant District Attorney.
“These three prosecutors have shown what it takes not only to serve at the highest levels of their profession, but to lead, encourage, and mentor others,” said District Attorney Ward. “I look forward to their continued hard work and counsel as we navigate California’s ever-changing system of justice.”
Jessica Weatherly began her career in the Office of the District Attorney as a law clerk in 2008, where her first assignment was assisting now District Attorney Tim Ward on the prosecution of a death penalty homicide case. She became a deputy district attorney in 2010. A native of Exeter and a graduate of Exeter High School, Weatherly graduated from California State University, San Diego with a degree in Biology and obtained her juris doctor from San Joaquin College of Law. In her TCDA career, Weatherly has been assigned to general felony, juvenile, crimes against children, trial team, south county Porterville, and misdemeanor divisions and has prosecuted high profile gang and homicide cases, as well as attempted murders on peace officers. She was promoted to Assistant District Attorney in 2019 and is a recipient of the 2016 Valley Hero Award and the 2017 Porterville Exchange Club Attorney of the Year 2017.
Noell Niayesh is a graduate of Santa Clara University with a degree in Theatre, with a minor in Philosophy. She obtained her juris doctor from Northwestern University School of Law. She began her TCDA career in 2011 as an intern and was hired as a Deputy District Attorney in 2012. Since then, Niayesh has specialized in prosecuting elder abuse and DUI homicide. In addition, Niayesh has prosecuted high profile capital homicide, gang, sexual assault, human trafficking, and sexually violent predator cases. In 2018, Niayesh was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Visalia Knights of Columbus.
Adam Clare is a graduate of University of California, Merced majoring in World Cultures and History. In 2011, he obtained his juris doctor from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. Since joining the Office of the District Attorney in 2013, Clare has been assigned to the general felony, juvenile, and writs and appeals divisions, and prosecuted criminal cases including child abuse, domestic violence homicide, child abduction, and gangs. Clare was promoted to Supervisor in 2023 and was bestowed with both the Porterville Exchange Club Attorney of the Year and the Tulare County Bar Association Public Service Attorney of the Year awards that same year.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494