Justice Jackson Receives $900,000 Book Advance and Tickets from Beyoncé

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson earned nearly $900,000 last year for her upcoming memoir, making her one of four Supreme Court justices with significant income from book deals.

Jackson also disclosed receiving four tickets to a Beyoncé concert valued at $3,700 from the singer herself.

These details were included in the justices’ annual financial reports released on Friday. Justice Clarence Thomas reported travel expenses covered by others in 2019, including a hotel room in Bali, Indonesia, and food and lodging in Sonoma County, California, provided by Republican megadonor Harlan Crow. He did not report any travel expenses covered by others last year.

In addition to Jackson, Justice Brett Kavanaugh reported earning $340,000 from Regnery Publishing, a conservative company. Kavanaugh’s book, focusing on his confirmation hearing and allegations of sexual misconduct, will be published by an imprint at Hachette Book Group.

Justices Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor reported royalty income of $250,000 and nearly $90,000, respectively.

The justices earn $298,500 this year, except for Chief Justice John Roberts, who earns $312,200.

The financial report for Justice Samuel Alito was not available on Friday, as he was granted an extension. Alito has faced scrutiny over flags flown outside his homes, which he attributes to his wife.

Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, signed a book contract shortly after taking her seat in 2022. Her book, titled “Lovely One,” is set to be published in September.

The total value of Jackson’s book deal has not been publicly disclosed, but it is expected to rival or exceed Sotomayor’s earnings for her memoir, “My Beloved World,” which was over $3 million.

The justices’ financial disclosures reveal certain aspects of their finances, but do not include the value of their homes or their spouses’ salaries.

While the justices adopted an ethics code in November, enforcement mechanisms are lacking. The code categorizes travel, food, and lodging as expenses rather than gifts, and does not require monetary values to be attached to these expenses.

Some Democratic lawmakers are pushing for legislation that would require the Supreme Court to adhere to a binding code of conduct and allow for investigations of alleged violations. However, passing such legislation in a closely divided Congress is seen as unlikely.