Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has reported earning more than $2 million from her memoir Lovely One, according to her latest financial disclosure. This payment came as part of a major book deal with Penguin Random House, marking one of the most lucrative book advances ever reported by a sitting justice.
A Personal Story That Resonated
Lovely One, published in September 2024, isn’t just a legal memoir. It tells the story of Jackson’s journey from a childhood shaped by segregation and civil rights struggles to becoming the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court. The book quickly became a bestseller, drawing praise for its honesty, warmth, and accessibility.
Jackson received a $2.07 million advance in 2024, in addition to $893,750 she had previously reported the year before. This puts her total reported earnings from the book at nearly $3 million.
A Book Tour Across America
Following the release, Jackson hit the road on a 15-city book tour, making stops in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami. She also delivered the commencement speech at Spelman College, where she spoke about resilience, justice, and her own life path.
All travel, lodging, and meals related to the tour were covered by Penguin Random House.
Earning More Than Her Peers
Jackson’s outside income far exceeds that of her colleagues on the bench. For example:
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Justice Neil Gorsuch made about $250,000 from his book.
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Justice Sonia Sotomayor earned roughly $134,000 from book royalties and advances.
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Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett earned about $32,000 each from part-time teaching.
By comparison, all associate justices earn a base salary of $303,600 per year. But while there are limits on how much they can earn from other types of outside work, such as teaching, book deals are not subject to the same cap.
Ethics and Recusals
The Court has faced growing scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, especially when justices have financial ties to outside entities. In Jackson’s case, she and three other justices recused themselves from a case involving Bertelsmann, the parent company of her book’s publisher, likely due to that relationship.
Although the Court adopted a code of conduct in 2023, it’s not legally binding. Critics continue to push for stricter rules to avoid the appearance of bias or impropriety.
Justices’ Other Side Jobs
Other members of the Court also reported income and travel related to outside engagements. Justice Sotomayor, for instance, gave talks in Hawaii and Switzerland. Justice Gorsuch taught courses overseas. Chief Justice John Roberts also reported a teaching stint in Ireland.
Justice Clarence Thomas, often in the spotlight over ethics questions, disclosed a life insurance policy and noted no new income or gifts.
Why It Matters
Justice Jackson’s memoir deal is not just about money. It highlights how the personal stories of public figures can inspire millions—and raise questions about the lines between judicial responsibility and private enterprise. As public trust in the Supreme Court faces challenges, transparency and ethics in financial disclosures are under sharper focus than ever.
