Money Talks: Supreme Court Justices' Side Jobs Revealed

In 2025, eight of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices peeled back the curtain on their financial lives, revealing substantial side income from book deals, teaching gigs, and even high-end perks. The revelations—spanning book advances, lecture fees, and lavish gifts—paint a picture of justices who command top dollar while wielding immense judicial power.

Book Deals: The Power of a Justice’s Name

Four justices collectively raked in over $2 million from book advances alone, proving that even on the highest court, fame has its financial rewards.

• One justice pocketed $1.18 million from a single book deal—a staggering sum for a position that pays a fixed salary of just over $270,000 annually.
• A different justice pulled in nearly $2 million the prior year, cementing their status as a publishing powerhouse.
• The same justice enjoyed $4,000+ in free concert tickets from a Puerto Rican record label during a private trip. While the event remains undisclosed, the label’s biggest star, Bad Bunny, was in town at the time.

Even niche books pay off. One justice published a children’s book about the Declaration of Independence, earning $360,000 in royalties. Another raked in $800,000+ from their legal tome—proof that legal expertise translates to commercial success. Not all earnings are equal, though: some report post-agent fees, while others list gross amounts, leaving the true take-home pay unclear.

Lectures & Teaching: The Academic Hustle

Three justices supplemented their income through teaching gigs at universities:

• $25,000 for a brief overseas course.
• $18,000 from a law school lecture.
• Over $33,000 each for part-time teaching roles.

While these sums may seem modest compared to book deals, they add up—and raise uncomfortable questions: How much outside work is too much for a judge? Critics argue that such lucrative side ventures could blur the line between impartiality and personal gain.

Transparency Gaps: The Unreported and the Late

The court has faced past scandals over undisclosed gifts and delayed filings, and the latest disclosures reveal lingering gaps:

• One justice missed a deadline to file earnings reports.
• Some perks, like concert tickets, lack full context, leaving the public to wonder about the full extent of outside influence.

The Bigger Debate: Public Service vs. Private Gain

The mix of lucrative side gigs and judicial duty fuels an ongoing debate:

• Supporters argue that outside work keeps justices engaged with real-world issues.
• Critics warn that such financial entanglements risk conflicts of interest—a concern amplified by past ethics scandals.

While justices are legally required to disclose earnings, the figures often don’t tell the whole story. Without deeper scrutiny, the line between commitment to justice and opportunity for enrichment remains frustratingly unclear.