Supreme Court Justices Report Significant Book Earnings in Financial Disclosures
Recent financial disclosures reveal substantial book-related income for several Supreme Court justices, with Ketanji Brown Jackson leading at $2 million from her memoir.
Overview
- Ketanji Brown Jackson earned over $2 million from her memoir 'Lovely One', published by Penguin Random House last year.
- Justice Neil Gorsuch reported $250,000 in royalties from his book, while Sonia Sotomayor earned over $134,000 from her publications.
- Supreme Court justices typically earn over $300,000 annually, with limits on outside income, which excludes book royalties.
- Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett earned approximately $30,000 each from teaching roles, in addition to their book revenues.
- Justice Samuel Alito requested a 90-day extension for his annual financial disclosure report, highlighting ongoing transparency efforts among justices.
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Analysis
Emphasizes Ketanji Brown Jackson's significant earnings from her memoir compared to other justices' incomes.
Barrett, Kavanaugh, and Gorsuch each earned around $30,000 for teaching at law schools, with Barrett and Kavanaugh specifically receiving $31,815 from Notre Dame Law School.
Ketanji Brown Jackson earned over $2 million from her bestselling memoir, "Lovely One," published by Penguin Random House.
Justice Neil Gorsuch reported earning $250,000 in royalties last year from his co-authored book.
'Lovely One' by Jackson was published by Random House in September and briefly topped the New York Times bestseller list.
Gorsuch published 'Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law' in August and received $30,000 for teaching at George Mason University last year.
Chief Justice John Roberts taught a two-week course in Galway, Ireland in July 2024 as part of New England Law's summer program.
Justice Samuel Alito was granted a 90-day extension to file his annual report, as requested and done in the past.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor earned a total of $134,000 in book-related income last year, including royalties and an advance for a new book, with $73,944 coming from children's books she has written.
Articles (4)
Center (3)
"…Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made more than $2 million last year for her best-selling memoir, according to the latest round of financial disclosure reports for the justices which became public on June 17."
USA TODAY·16d·"…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."
Associated Press·16d·"…The financial disclosure report showed three of the justices — Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch and Ketanji Brown Jackson — brought in money from books last year."
CBS News·16d·FAQ
Book earnings, such as advances and royalties, are reported in the justices' financial disclosures. These disclosures are primarily intended to identify potential conflicts of interest, though they do not provide a comprehensive snapshot of the justices' wealth[2].
Supreme Court justices typically earn over $300,000 annually. Book earnings, such as royalties, are not subject to the limits on outside income, providing an additional source of revenue[2].
The financial disclosures of Supreme Court justices aim to enhance transparency by revealing potential conflicts of interest. Recent legislation requires these disclosures to be posted online and for justices to report large stock transactions within 45 days[2].
History
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