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Taking Her Seat on the Supreme Court Bench: Meet Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

by | Apr 12, 2022 | Career, Diversity, Life, Features

Corporate Counsel Women of Color congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her recent confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. She will be the first – hopefully not the last – African American woman to hold a seat on the highest court in the land.

Throughout her legal career, Judge Brown Jackson has demonstrated a strong commitment to the rule of law and the utmost integrity. She is a legal scholar, a pillar in the community and a graduate of Harvard Law School.

Before Judge Brown Jackson became a history maker, she served as a federal judge in various districts and an attorney at prestigious law firms. She even spent a year as a researcher and reporter for Time magazine after college.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Judge Brown Jackson is a devoted wife and mother. Want to learn more about this remarkable woman of color? Explore this profile of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Full Name and Title: Judge Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson

Born: Washington, D.C. but grew up in Miami, Florida

Early Accolades: Elected ‘Mayor’ of Palmetto Junior High School; Student Body President of Miami Palmetto Senior High School; Editor of The Harvard Law Review

Education: Harvard University (magna cum laude); Harvard Law School (cum laude)

Current Position: Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit

Date of Supreme Court Nomination: February 28, 2022 by President Joe Biden

Date of Supreme Court Confirmation: April 7, 2022 (53-47 vote in the Senate)

Professional Experience:

  • Judge U.S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit (2021 – present)
  • Judge U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (2013 – 2021)
  • Vice Chair and Commissioner, U.S. Sentencing Commission (2010 – 2014)
  • Of Counsel (Private Practice), Morrison & Foerster LLP (D.C. Office)(2007 – 2010)
  • Associate Federal Public Defender, Office of the Federal Public Defender (2005 – 2007)
  • Assistant Special Counsel, United States Sentencing Commission (2003 – 2005)
  • Associate, The Feinberg Group LLP (2002 – 2003)
  • Associate, Goodwin Procter LLP (Boston office) (2000 – 2002)
  • Law Clerk, Hon. Stephen Breyer, Supreme Court of the United States (1999 – 2000)
  • Associate, Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewis (1998 – 1999)
  • Law Clerk, Hon. Bruce Marshall Selya, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit (1997 – 1998)
  • Law Clerk, Hon. Patti Saris, U.S. District Court of Massachusetts (1996 – 1997)

Associations and Affiliations:

  • Board Member, Georgetown Day School
  • Member, Judicial Conference Committee on Defender Services
  • Board Member, Council of the American Law Institute
  • Member, Board of Overseers of Harvard University
  • Harvard Alumni Association
  • Harvard Black Alumni Association

Awards and Recognitions:

  • Constance Baker Motley Award, Empowering Women of Color, Columbia Law School
  • Third Annual Judge James B. Parsons Legacy Award, University of Chicago Law School
  • Stars of the Bar Award, Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia

In Her Own Words:

“I teach my children to approach the world with a grateful spirit. We don’t look down on others and we show respect for all mankind.”

“I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunities that I’ve had in life. I believe it’s my obligation to teach my children to refrain from casting expulsions on others because of their life circumstances.”

“Be open to new ideas and experiences because you’ll never know when someone else will have an interesting thought or when a new door will open to take you on the journey of your dreams.”

Join us as we salute Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and this significant milestone in history. We know that she will serve with excellence and her seat on the U.S. Supreme Court will open doors for women of color attorneys for generations to come.

About Corporate Counsel Women of Color

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