Topline
Supreme Court justices collectively earned at least $2 million from book publishers last year, according to newly released financial disclosure forms—coinciding with the Court’s release of major rulings on several high‑impact cases this term.
One justice also received free concert tickets from Bad Bunny’s record label.
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Key Facts
Book publishing has emerged as a major source of income for Supreme Court justices, supplementing their base salaries of $306,600 (associate justices) or $320,700 (Chief Justice).
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson received a $1.18 million advance from Penguin Random House for her memoir, plus a painting valued at $2,500 gifted to her chambers.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, whose book “Listening to the Law” was released last September, reported roughly $849,000 in royalties handled by the Javelin Group literary agency.
Justice Neil Gorsuch disclosed $300,000 in royalties from HarperCollins—likely from his recent children’s book—and a modest $361.47 from Princeton University Press.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor reported just over $88,000 in royalties from Penguin Random House for several titles, as well as $4,333 in concert tickets provided by Rimas Entertainment, the firm representing Bad Bunny. She noted the tickets were for a show during a private trip to Puerto Rico last August, when Bad Bunny was performing a residency.
The remaining justices did not list publishing income, although Justice Samuel Alito, whose book is scheduled for release later this year, asked for a 90‑day extension to file his disclosure.
Some Justices Taught Classes
Several justices boosted their earnings with part‑time law‑school salaries. Barrett disclosed $33,285 for teaching at Notre Dame Law School, the same amount reported by Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh’s filing also mentioned he coached 5th‑ and 6th‑grade and high‑school girls’ basketball at the Blessed Sacrament school in Washington, D.C., though he did not receive compensation for that role. Gorsuch reported $30,379.91 from teaching at George Mason University, while Clarence Thomas noted $18,000 earned from the Catholic University of America School of Law.
Key Background
On Monday the Court issued several landmark decisions, including overturning a longstanding precedent that now permits President Donald Trump to dismiss the heads of independent agencies. At the same time, the justices blocked the president’s effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, giving the central bank added insulation. The Court is set to release additional rulings on Tuesday, marking the close of its current term.