shutterstock_96721225_steve_heap
28 February 2022Influential Women in IPMuireann Bolger

‘Historic’: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson joins SCOTUS

In an historic development, US President Joe Biden has nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as  an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court—the first African American woman to assume the role.

Once confirmed, Jackson will replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced his retirement in January.

According to a statement issued by the White House, Judge Jackson is “one of the nation’s brightest legal minds and has an unusual breadth of experience in our legal system, giving her the perspective to be an exceptional Justice”.

Born in Washington, DC, in 1970, Jackson grew up in Miami, Florida, the daughter of lawyers.

She has served as a federal judge on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 2021.

Judge Jackson has credited her love of the law back to sitting next to her father in their apartment as he tackled his law school homework—reading cases and preparing for Socratic questioning—while she undertook her preschool homework.

But like many Black women, Judge Jackson still faced many challenges. When she told her high school guidance counsellor she wanted to attend Harvard, she was warned not to set her “sights so high”.

Despite this initial lack of encouragement, she went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard University, then attended Harvard Law School, where she graduated cum laude and was an editor of the Harvard Law Review.

She began her legal career with three clerkships, including one with the US Supreme Court Between  2007 to 2010, Judge Jackson was of counsel at Morrison & Foerster where her practice focused on criminal and civil appellate litigation in both state and federal courts, as well as cases in the Supreme Court.

Larren Nashelsky, chair of Morrison & Foerster, said: “We extend our warmest congratulations to Judge Jackson on her nomination to serve on the US Supreme Court. At the firm, she was a key contributor to our appellate and Supreme Court practice, advising and assisting clients on complex legal matters. She also lent her keen litigation skills to the firm’s pro bono programme where she helped people in need in important cases.”

Brian Matsui, a partner in Morrison & Foerster’s Appellate and Supreme Court practice, worked closely with Jackson when she was an of counsel at the firm.

“It’s hard to think of a more qualified or more dedicated lawyer or jurist than Judge Jackson. She will bring her keen intellect and thoughtful perspective to the Supreme Court. It was a privilege to work with her—she always looked at the big picture, asked the right questions, and had a knack for picking up on nuances in a case that others might miss. She will be an outstanding Justice,” he said.

Also welcoming the appointment, Cecilia Sanabria, partner-in-charge of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Finnegan described the significance of the appointment as historic and “immeasurable”.

“The appointment highlights that representation of every American in our legal system, and in every one of the systems that governs the country is not only important, but also necessary and we must strive for it at every level, including and most significantly at the very top,” she said.

“The background, experiences, and faces of those who serve to protect equal justice under the Constitution should reflect and represent the diversity of this country. Judge Jackson’s historical nomination is another reminder that in order to change history and achieve a more equitable future, we must be purposeful and intentional, particularly in the face of adversity,” concluded Sanabria.

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox

Today’s top stories

China announces marked rise in IP cases in three years

Fed Circ says ‘Trump too small’ should be registered

Already registered?

Login to your account

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk


More on this story

Patents
6 September 2021   Only a human being can be legally listed on a patent as an inventor, according to a Virginia federal judge who delivered the first US ruling in the worldwide debate on the patentability of AI inventions.
Influential Women in IP
8 March 2022   Despite 20-30% of registered patent attorneys being women, women make up only 12% of total attorney appearances in Patent Trial and Appeal Board proceedings, according to a new report from the PTAB Bar Association.
Influential Women in IP
8 April 2022   In a landmark development, Ketanji Brown Jackson will become the first African-American woman to serve on the US Supreme Court in its 233-year history.