Ketanji Brown Jackson earns over $2 million from memoir deal

In 2024, Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, received a substantial advance from Penguin Random House for her memoir. The payment amounting to $2,068,750 was disclosed in her financial report, indicating how lucrative book deals can be for justices, who often have other income streams aside from their judicial salaries. Jackson’s memoir, titled 'Lovely One,' was released in September 2024, detailing her family’s journey from segregation to her historic confirmation as a Justice on America’s highest court. Before the recent book deal, Jackson had already received an advance of $893,750 for her memoir, demonstrating Penguins Random House's significant financial support for this publication. The memoir briefly topped the New York Times bestseller list, reflecting not only public interest in Jackson’s life but also the relevance of her story in today’s context as the U.S. continues to address racial and social justice issues. Jackson’s narrative captures her life experiences, her rise through the judiciary, and her significant impact. Income from book deals is a known avenue for justices and is included in their annual financial disclosures. As of January 2024, the justices of the Supreme Court earned a salary of over $300,000 annually. Jackson earned more non-investment income than any other justice during the 2024 financial reporting period, as highlighted by the nonprofit organization Fix the Court, which advocates for transparency in the Supreme Court. While financial disclosures have noted Jackson's substantial advances, ethical considerations regarding financial gains from the publishing sector have also arisen, especially since some justices participated in meetings concerning cases involving companies that publish their works. Nevertheless, as of now, there are no caps on the amount justices can earn from book deals, allowing them to pursue lucrative opportunities without exhaustive restrictions.