Supreme Court Justices’ Financial Disclosures Reveal Book Earnings, Teaching Income, and Travel

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett recently appeared at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., where she discussed her new book, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution, and signed copies for attendees. This event coincided with the Supreme Court’s release of their annual financial reports.

Each justice provides these reports, though Justice Samuel Alito has consistently requested an extension, doing so for 15 years. While the disclosures do not offer a full picture of the justices’ total income and assets, they do reveal insights into their activities, such as lecturing, book publishing, and even participation in youth sports.

Book Earnings and Publications

A significant portion of the justices’ reported income comes from book deals. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson earned more than $1.1 million last year from her memoir, Lovely One, amassing nearly $4 million since its 2024 release. Other justices like Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy also reported income from their publications. Barrett earned approximately $849,000, Gorsuch $300,000, and Sotomayor $88,000.

In contrast, Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh reported no book-related payments last year. Although Alito is set to publish a book this fall, his financial report is pending. Notably, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Elena Kagan have not published any books.

Teaching and Other Income

Many justices augment their income by teaching at law schools. Roberts received compensation from New England Law in Boston, and Gorsuch taught at George Mason University in Virginia. Similarly, Thomas provided courses at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., while both Barrett and Kavanaugh taught at Notre Dame Law School. Barrett, an alumna of Notre Dame, began her teaching career there 23 years ago, while Kavanaugh has family ties to the institution.

Gifts and Reimbursements

The disclosures also include reported gifts and reimbursements. Jackson received a $2,500 painting for her chambers. Sotomayor reported attending the opening of a musical inspired by her children’s book, Just Ask, in Kansas City, and mentioned a private trip to Puerto Rico, where she attended a Bad Bunny concert series. Her travel included $4,333 in free tickets provided by the record label of the artist.

The justices reported significant travel reimbursements for international engagements. Thomas’ expenses for attending an event celebrating economist Thomas Sowell were covered by the Hoover Institution. Sotomayor, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Jackson reported reimbursements for speeches, book discussions, and teaching events internationally. Roberts reported neither gifts nor travel reimbursements.

Activities and Investments

Justice Kavanaugh, in addition to his judicial duties, coaches girls’ basketball teams for the Catholic Youth Organization in the D.C. area. He is known as Coach K to his players and notably authored a decision permitting states to ban transgender women and girls from female sports teams.

Justice salaries are fixed by law, with the chief justice earning $320,700 annually, and associate justices earning $306,600. Despite these substantial sums, both justices and their clerks could potentially earn significantly more in private sector roles.

Investing for many justices involves mutual funds and index funds, avoiding individual stocks to minimize conflicts of interest. Only Roberts reported holding individual stocks, while Alito’s stock ownership details await his final report. The reporting forms lack specificity, masking the justices’ exact wealth. They exclude home values and, in many cases, spousal income, which might be substantial.