Supreme Court Justices’ Financial Disclosures and Activities

On September 9, 2025, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett appeared at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. She discussed her new book, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution, and signed copies for attendees. Amid recent major court decisions, the justices quietly released their annual financial reports.

Justice Samuel Alito was the only sitting member to request a reporting extension, a practice he has maintained for 15 years. The financial disclosures offer insights into the justices’ incomes, revealing earnings from book deals, teaching roles, and other activities.

Income from Book Deals

A significant portion of the justices’ income came from their published books. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson earned over $1.1 million last year, accumulating around $4 million since her memoir, Lovely One, released in 2024. Justice Amy Coney Barrett earned $849,000, while Justice Neil Gorsuch earned $300,000 and Justice Sonia Sotomayor $88,000 from their books. Sotomayor’s publications include an autobiography and children’s books.

Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh reported no book-related earnings last year. Kavanaugh is working on a memoir, but has not listed any payments yet. Alito’s upcoming book remains financial undisclosed due to his report extension. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Elena Kagan have not published books.

Teaching Income

Several justices supplement their income by teaching at law schools. Chief Justice Roberts taught at New England Law in Boston. Justice Gorsuch taught at George Mason University in Virginia. Justice Thomas held classes at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Both Barrett and Kavanaugh taught at Notre Dame Law School, with Barrett having a long-standing teaching role there and Kavanaugh having family ties to the institution.

Gifts and Travel

Justices Jackson and Sotomayor were the only ones to report receiving gifts in 2025. Jackson received a $2,500 painting for her chambers. Sotomayor was gifted tickets worth $4,333 for a Bad Bunny concert during a trip to Puerto Rico, coinciding with the artist’s show in San Juan. Additionally, Sotomayor traveled to Kansas City for a musical based on her book Just Ask.

Several justices, including Thomas, Sotomayor, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Jackson, were reimbursed for travel, meals, and lodging in connection to speaking engagements and international teaching. Roberts did not report any gifts or travel reimbursements.

Activities Beyond the Court

Justice Kavanaugh also engages in community activities, coaching several girls’ basketball teams in the D.C.-area Catholic Youth Organization. Known as Coach K, he authored a notable court decision affecting sports participation for transgender women and girls.

Salaries and Investments

The chief justice earns $320,700 annually, while associate justices earn $306,600 each year. Despite these salaries, justices and their clerks have opportunities for higher earnings outside the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Roberts reported investing in individual stocks, while other justices mainly opt for index and mutual funds to avoid conflicts of interest. Alito also has past investments in stocks, but his current holdings remain undisclosed pending his report.

However, financial disclosures are vague, making it difficult to assess the justices’ total wealth and asset values. Details such as the justices’ spouses’ incomes and home values are not reported.