Annual Financial Disclosures Shed Light on Supreme Court Justices’ Earnings and Activities
While the Supreme Court has been in the spotlight for its recent rulings, its justices quietly released their annual financial disclosures, revealing intriguing details about their incomes and activities. Notably, these reports provide a glimpse into the justices’ additional earnings from book deals, teaching, and other engagements, though they don’t offer a complete picture of their financial status.
Justice Samuel Alito remains the only member to request an extension for filing, as he has done consistently for 15 years. These disclosures offer insights into the justices’ personal interests and engagements beyond their judicial roles.
A significant portion of the justices’ reported income stems from book deals. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson leads with over $1.1 million earned last year from her memoir, Lovely One. Since its publication in 2024, her earnings have totaled approximately $4 million. Other justices like Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy have also reported book earnings, with Barrett making $849,000 and Gorsuch $300,000. Sotomayor’s income from her autobiography and children’s books amounted to $88,000.
Interestingly, Justice Clarence Thomas, who previously received $1.5 million for his 2007 memoir, and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a co-author of a 2016 legal treatise, reported no publisher payments last year. Alito is expected to release a book this fall, but his financial details remain pending due to the extension.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Elena Kagan are the only sitting justices without published books.
Beyond writing, several justices supplement their income through teaching roles at law schools. Roberts reported income from New England Law in Boston, while Gorsuch earned from George Mason University. Thomas taught at Catholic University, and both Barrett and Kavanaugh engaged with Notre Dame Law School, with Barrett having a long-standing connection of 23 years as a faculty member.
Gifts and travel were also part of the justices’ 2025 disclosures. Jackson received a $2,500 painting for her chambers, and Sotomayor reported attending the opening of a musical based on her book Just Ask in Kansas City. Sotomayor also received concert tickets worth $4,333 during a private trip to Puerto Rico, which coincided with Bad Bunny’s performances.
The justices’ travel expenses were often covered by hosting institutions. Thomas’ expenses were reimbursed by the Hoover Institution for his appearance at an event celebrating economist Thomas Sowell. Sotomayor, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Jackson also reported travel reimbursements for international engagements, whereas Roberts did not report any gifts or travel reimbursements.
Off the bench, Justice Kavanaugh, known as Coach K, dedicated time to coaching girls’ basketball teams through the Catholic Youth Organization in the D.C. area.
Regarding salaries, the chief justice earns $320,700 annually, with associate justices earning $306,600 each. Despite their substantial earnings, justices often have opportunities to earn more outside the court, as do their law clerks. Notably, Roberts was the only justice to report investments in individual stocks, while others prefer index funds and mutual funds to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
Despite these disclosures, the forms lack specificity, making it difficult to ascertain the justices’ overall wealth. They don’t include the current value of justices’ homes or spouses’ incomes, which could significantly impact their financial standings.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
