Despite having the lowest salaries on the Supreme Court, Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Brett Kavanaugh managed to earn more through book deals in 2023. Jackson received a hefty advance of $893,750 from Penguin Random House for her upcoming memoir, “Lovely One,” while Kavanaugh reported a payment of $340,000 from Regnery Publishing for a conservative book. These book deals are a significant source of income for Jackson and Kavanaugh, who Forbes estimates to have a net worth of $2 million each, the lowest among all the justices.
Other justices, including Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor, also earned income from book royalties in 2023. Gorsuch received $250,000 from HarperCollins for a book coauthored with his former clerk, while Sotomayor earned about $87,000 from Penguin for royalties. Despite facing criticism for allegedly using Court staff to boost book sales, Sotomayor, worth $5 million according to Forbes, continues to write and publish books. Additionally, Amy Coney Barrett, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh reported income from teaching in 2023, highlighting the diverse sources of income for Supreme Court justices.
The outside income earned by the justices comes at a time when the Court is under scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest and ethical violations. Clarence Thomas, worth an estimated $4 million, amended his previous disclosures to include trips paid for by a wealthy benefactor. Samuel Alito, the second wealthiest justice with an estimated net worth of $10 million, did not release a disclosure, raising concerns about transparency. Chief Justice John Roberts, with an estimated net worth of $25 million, remains the wealthiest member of the Court, despite reporting no outside income in 2023.
The financial disclosures also shed light on the personal interests and activities of the Supreme Court justices. Jackson and Kavanaugh’s lucrative book deals indicate the potential for substantial earnings beyond their judicial salaries. Gorsuch and Sotomayor’s continued writing and publishing activities show their dedication to pursuing outside interests. The presence of conflicts of interest and ethical issues among some justices underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the highest court in the land.
As the Supreme Court justices navigate outside income sources, teaching roles, and book deals, questions about conflicts of interest and financial transparency continue to linger. Although the justices face scrutiny over their personal activities and relationships, the diversity of their income sources highlights the complexities of their roles and responsibilities. Ultimately, the disparity in wealth among the justices underscores the need for greater understanding and oversight of their financial activities to uphold the integrity and impartiality of the Supreme Court.
