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Politico
5 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
Ketanji Brown Jackson has earned nearly $3M from her memoir, financial disclosures show
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has joined the ranks of the Supreme Court's most highly-paid authors by collecting a book advance totaling almost $3 million for her memoir, according to a financial disclosure released Tuesday. Jackson reported receiving $2 million of the advance last year for the book, on top of about $900,000 she was paid in 2023 by publisher Penguin Random House. The book, 'Lovely One,' reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list after its release last September. The amount paid to the court's newest justice is roughly the same figure Justice Sonia Sotomayor received as an advance for her 2014 autobiography, 'My Beloved World.' Her disclosure released Tuesday reports that she received about $132,000 last year from Penguin Random House for her past books and a forthcoming one. Sotomayor has earned a total of $3.9 million in advances and royalties from her books, according to Fix the Court, a watchdog group that analyzes the justices' annual financial disclosures. That's the highest book-related income of any current justice. Three other justices have earned more than $1 million in income from books they have written, according to Fix the Court's analysis: Jackson at $2.9 million, Clarence Thomas at $1.5 million and Neil Gorsuch at $1.4 million. Gorsuch reported in his new disclosure Tuesday a $250,000 advance last year from publisher HarperCollins for a book he co-authored about overregulation, 'Over Ruled.' Justice Amy Coney Barrett is also writing a book, due out in September, titled 'Listening to the Law,' and published by an imprint of Penguin. She received a $425,000 advance for it in 2021. Justice Samuel Alito was the only justice whose required financial disclosure was not released Tuesday. Alito delayed filing his report, as he has done each year for the past decade. Alito requested a 90-day extension, a spokesperson for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts said Tuesday as the reports from the eight other active justices and two retired justices were made public. The book-related payments to the justices have sometimes complicated their judicial work. Sotomayor has faced criticism in the past for not recusing herself from cases involving Penguin Random House. But last month, Sotomayor did recuse herself from considering a petition for the court to take up a case that involved Penguin's parent company, Bertelsmann. Four other justices also recused themselves, with most of those recusals likely triggered by the justices' book deals, though none of the justices explained why they were stepping aside. The result was that the court lacked a quorum, so a lower court's ruling in the case was automatically left in place. The lower court had dismissed a lawsuit against the company and various other publishers and authors. The justices' book deals may prompt more recusals in the coming months in higher-profile cases. Penguin is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in 2023 against Florida officials over their efforts to restrict the availability of books in public school libraries. The justices' financial disclosures have faced scrutiny in recent years after revelations about undeclared gifts that some of the justices received, as well as expensive trips that were provided to Thomas and Alito by billionaire friends. The justices are required to disclose gifts valued at more than $480. This year, only Sotomayor disclosed any gifts. She said she accepted a $1,437 trip to Kansas City, Missouri, last August from a theater company there that was workshopping an adaptation of her diversity-themed children's book, 'Just Ask!' Sotomayor also said she received a gift of legal treatises that she donated to the Supreme Court's collection. Of the eight justices whose disclosures were released Tuesday, seven of them reported taking trips last year that were paid for by others. Only Thomas did not report any travel reimbursements. Jackson appeared to receive the most travel reimbursements. She reported 17 trips, all within the U.S. Most were part of her book tour and paid for by her publisher. Sotomayor spent 12 days in Europe last July at the expense of New York University and the University of Zurich in connection with speaking at events hosted by those schools. She also reported swapping a ticket she had bought for an unspecified concert last July for another less valuable one that offered 'greater security than the original seating.' Chief Justice John Roberts reported being reimbursed for his travel expenses to teach a two-week course in Galway, Ireland, last July sponsored by the New England School of Law called 'The Supreme Court of the United States in Historical Perspective.' The class was co-taught by Harvard Law Professor Richard Lazarus, who was Roberts' roommate when both attended Harvard Law. Roberts and several other justices reported receiving compensation for teaching classes. Roberts also reported a one-eighth interest in a cottage in County Limerick, Ireland, that he reportedly owns along with other family members. It isn't much of a money-maker. He reported taking in less than $1,000 in rent for it in 2024 and valued his share at less than $15,000. The released financial disclosures don't capture the justices' full wealth, because assets like homes, federal government retirement accounts and treasury securities don't need to be disclosed. However, the financial picture the forms do provide suggest Justice Brett Kavanaugh has the smallest investment portfolio. Kavanaugh reported as his only investments bank accounts worth in total between $100,000 and $250,000 and a Texas retirement account worth less than $15,000 that likely belongs to his wife, who was an aide to George W. Bush when he served as Texas governor. Most of the justices will make $303,600 in salary this year. Roberts, as the chief, gets a bit more: $317,500.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ketanji Brown Jackson reports $2 million in income last year for her memoir, 'Lovely One'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson received more than $2 million last year for her best-selling memoir, 'Lovely One,' according to her annual financial disclosure, released Tuesday. Jackson's outside income exceeded that of her court colleagues combined, the reports showed. Justice Neil Gorsuch reported $250,000 for the book he published last year, while Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she received $134,000 in royalties and an advance for a new book due out next year. The annual reports paint a partial picture of the justices' finances, as they are not required to reveal the value of their homes or, for those who are married, their spouses' salary. Their investments also are reported in ranges. The justices earn a salary of $303,600 for their work on the court, except for Chief Justice John Roberts, who is paid $317,500. 'Lovely One' was published by Random House in September and briefly topped the New York Times bestseller list. Jackson, the first Black woman on the nation's highest court, signed the contract soon after taking her seat in 2022 and last year reported receiving a nearly $900,000 advance. She undertook an extensive speaking tour to promote the book and reported 15 paid trips across the country last summer and fall. The nearly $3 million she has received so far rivals the contract Sotomayor signed for her memoir, 'My Beloved World,' first published in 2013. Sotomayor, who also has written several children's books, is writing a new one called 'Just Shine! How to Be a Better You' inspired by her late mother, People magazine has reported. Gorsuch's latest book, 'Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law,' was published in August by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh also have book deals. Barrett, Kavanaugh and Gorsuch reported a bit more than $30,000 each for one- or two-week law school teaching gigs. Barrett and Kavanaugh taught at the University of Notre Dame's law school in South Bend, Indiana. Each has a child attending college there and Barrett was on the law school faculty before becoming a judge. Gorsuch taught in George Mason University's summer law program in Porto, Portugal. Roberts reported teaching a two-week course in Galway, Ireland in July. He said he wasn't paid until February. His compensation will be on the report that's released a year from now. The only justice whose report was not available Tuesday is Samuel Alito, who received an extension for up to 90 days, as he does most years.
Hamilton Spectator
9 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ketanji Brown Jackson reports $2 million in income last year for her memoir, ‘Lovely One'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson received more than $2 million last year for her best-selling memoir, 'Lovely One,' according to her annual financial disclosure, released Tuesday. Jackson's outside income exceeded that of her court colleagues combined, the reports showed. Justice Neil Gorsuch reported $250,000 for the book he published last year, while Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she received $134,000 in royalties and an advance for a new book due out next year. The annual reports paint a partial picture of the justices' finances, as they are not required to reveal the value of their homes or, for those who are married, their spouses' salary. Their investments also are reported in ranges. The justices earn a salary of $303,600 for their work on the court, except for Chief Justice John Roberts , who is paid $317,500. 'Lovely One' was published by Random House in September and briefly topped the New York Times bestseller list. Jackson, the first Black woman on the nation's highest court, signed the contract soon after taking her seat in 2022 and last year reported receiving a nearly $900,000 advance. She undertook an extensive speaking tour to promote the book and reported 15 paid trips across the country last summer and fall. The nearly $3 million she has received so far rivals the contract Sotomayor signed for her memoir, 'My Beloved World,' first published in 2013. Sotomayor, who also has written several children's books, is writing a new one called 'Just Shine! How to Be a Better You' inspired by her late mother, People magazine has reported. Gorsuch's latest book, 'Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law,' was published in August by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh also have book deals. Barrett, Kavanaugh and Gorsuch reported a bit more than $30,000 each for one- or two-week law school teaching gigs. Barrett and Kavanaugh taught at the University of Notre Dame's law school in South Bend, Indiana. Each has a child attending college there and Barrett was on the law school faculty before becoming a judge. Gorsuch taught in George Mason University's summer law program in Porto, Portugal. Roberts reported teaching a two-week course in Galway, Ireland in July. He said he wasn't paid until February. His compensation will be on the report that's released a year from now. The only justice whose report was not available Tuesday is Samuel Alito , who received an extension for up to 90 days, as he does most years. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ketanji Brown Jackson reports $2 million in income last year for her memoir, ‘Lovely One'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson received more than $2 million last year for her best-selling memoir, 'Lovely One,' according to her annual financial disclosure, released Tuesday. Jackson's outside income exceeded that of her court colleagues combined, the reports showed. Justice Neil Gorsuch reported $250,000 for the book he published last year, while Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she received $134,000 in royalties and an advance for a new book due out next year. The annual reports paint a partial picture of the justices' finances, as they are not required to reveal the value of their homes or, for those who are married, their spouses' salary. Their investments also are reported in ranges. The justices earn a salary of $303,600 for their work on the court, except for Chief Justice John Roberts, who is paid $317,500. 'Lovely One' was published by Random House in September and briefly topped the New York Times bestseller list. Jackson, the first Black woman on the nation's highest court, signed the contract soon after taking her seat in 2022 and last year reported receiving a nearly $900,000 advance. She undertook an extensive speaking tour to promote the book and reported 15 paid trips across the country last summer and fall. The nearly $3 million she has received so far rivals the contract Sotomayor signed for her memoir, 'My Beloved World,' first published in 2013. Sotomayor, who also has written several children's books, is writing a new one called 'Just Shine! How to Be a Better You' inspired by her late mother, People magazine has reported. Gorsuch's latest book, 'Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law,' was published in August by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh also have book deals. Barrett, Kavanaugh and Gorsuch reported a bit more than $30,000 each for one- or two-week law school teaching gigs. Barrett and Kavanaugh taught at the University of Notre Dame's law school in South Bend, Indiana. Each has a child attending college there and Barrett was on the law school faculty before becoming a judge. Gorsuch taught in George Mason University's summer law program in Porto, Portugal. Roberts reported teaching a two-week course in Galway, Ireland in July. He said he wasn't paid until February. His compensation will be on the report that's released a year from now. The only justice whose report was not available Tuesday is Samuel Alito, who received an extension for up to 90 days, as he does most years.
Miami Herald
12-02-2025
- Miami Herald
Justice Sotomayor brings her Latin roots to Miami, and has a message for young people
Sonia Sotomayor may be a household name, but her storied legal career stems largely from feeling comfortable in her own skin. 'You have to be true to yourself,' Sotomayor, the nation's first Hispanic justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, told more than 200 people Tuesday evening during a chat with Knight Foundation President and CEO Maribel Pérez Wadsworth at the Miami Dade College campus in Little Havana. 'I have never denied my culture or hidden my love for my Spanish roots,' Sotomayor said, highlighting her love for family, salsa and roasted pork. 'All of these things are important to me and I take pride in them.' From the Bronx to Supreme Court bench Raised in a Bronx housing project by Puerto Rican parents, Sotomayor graduated from Ivy League universities before launching her legal career as a state prosecutor in Manhattan, then serving two swings as a federal judge, and capping it off with a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Sotomayor, 70, brought her grounded perspectives on her life and the law to the Miami audience, focusing on her goal of uplifting young students who will shape the course of society. 'My decision was talking to young people, trying to inspire them, to understand the power they have, because I didn't know when I was growing up that I had any power,' she said. Sotomayor, author of a memoir, 'My Beloved World,' on the early stages of her life, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 8 and credits living with the chronic illness with teaching her discipline. Sotomayor, whose father died when she was 9, also credits the lessons she learned from the fictional tales of a young girl detective, Nancy Drew, as one of the motivations for her career. Her first job out of Yale Law School was as a prosecutor with the Manhattan district attorney's office — a different path from many of her classmates who sought high-paying jobs with white-shoe law firms. 'I threw away my playbook and I took a chance, and I turned out to be pretty good at it,' said Sotomayor, who went on to be appointed as a federal judge by President George H. W. Bush in 1992 and a federal appellate judge by President Bill Clinton six year later. Her life would change forever when President Barack Obama appointed her to the Supreme Court in 2009. Sotomayor has spent most of her career in a minority role, particularly on the Supreme Court, which has evolved into a conservative super-majority during the era of President Donald Trump. Wrote dissent on Trump immunity case Never was this more obvious than when Sotomayor wrote the dissent for the three Democratic appointees when the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in ruling that a president has general immunity, breaking with legal precedents. The six Republican appointees ruled that the president has 'presumptive' immunity from criminal liability for his official acts and absolute immunity for some 'core' acts — including Trump's attempts to use the Justice Department to obstruct the results of the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden. Sotomayor, who was joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, declared that their conservative colleagues had made the president into 'a king above the law.' Writing that the majority was 'deeply wrong,' Sotomayor added it would have 'stark' long-term consequences for the future of American democracy. On Tuesday evening, the Knight Foundation's president, Perez Wadsworth, refrained from asking Sotomayor about any particular Supreme Court decisions. However, she asked Sotomayor about how the nine-member court interacts and makes decisions. Need to listen to others 'The first and most important part is listening,' she said. 'People you disagree with are not bad people,' she said. 'My colleagues, whom I disagree with frequently, are not bad people.' 'Most people believe that law is black and white and they don't understand why we disagree,' she added. 'But law is not black and white, it's gray.' But her most enduring message was for the young students in the audience, imparting lessons about education, inspiration and passion. 'We adults have messed up the world for you,' Sotomayor said, citing a litany of problems, from endless wars to economic disparity. 'I want you to believe in your power to make the world a better place.'
