Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson led the nation’s highest court in outside earnings this year, reporting a $2 million book payment tied to her bestselling memoir, Lovely One, according to newly released 2024 Supreme Court financial disclosure reports.
The payment came from Penguin Random House, which has already paid Jackson nearly $3 million in total since the book deal was first announced. The memoir, hailed as a powerful account of her life and judicial philosophy, continues to enjoy commercial success.
Jackson is among several Supreme Court justices who are supplementing their judicial salaries with book deals and teaching positions.
- Justice Neil Gorsuch disclosed a $250,000 advance from HarperCollins for his co-authored book Over Ruled.
- Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a prolific author, reported a new $60,000 advance from Penguin Random House, bringing her total book earnings close to $4 million, according to judicial transparency group Fix the Court.
Meanwhile, Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh each earned just over $30,000 for teaching at Notre Dame Law School, where Barrett was once a full-time professor. Gorsuch also taught at George Mason University, earning a similar amount. Barrett has a book set for release later this year.
Notably absent from the earnings list was Justice Clarence Thomas, who reported no outside income. Thomas has previously faced scrutiny over undisclosed luxury travel, which reignited debates over judicial ethics and financial transparency.
Justice Samuel Alito, who has also been in the spotlight for ethical concerns, requested a 90-day extension to file his disclosure — an option permitted under federal law.
The annual financial disclosures are part of an ongoing effort to enhance transparency within the judiciary, especially as justices face increased public scrutiny over conflicts of interest and ethical standards.
