On January 26, 2022, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his intent to retire at the end of the 2022 term. Since the announcement, there has been a major commotion about who will replace Justice Breyer. Many people have shared their personal opinions, but ultimately, the duty falls on President Joe Biden. In order to be a qualified nominee for a Supreme Court Justice, one must have impressive experience and credentials as well as unbeatable loyalty and dedication to justice and all that it stands for. President Biden seems to have found the candidate that checks all the boxes for him in Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. 

Life of the Nominee

Judge Jackson was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Miami, FL. Her father was in law school around the time Ketanji was in preschool, a fact she has mentioned when asked where her passion for the law came from. Throughout her high school years, she was heavily involved in speech and debate, student body government, and numerous discussion clubs. She had a dream to go to Harvard Law School, despite comments from teachers voicing their doubts. She completed this dream, graduating with honors from Harvard before doing the same at the Ivy League’s law school in 1996. 

Extensive Resume

One of the most important aspects of a person nominated for a Justice is their experience and accolades, and Judge Jackson has an impressive amount of both. The first experience of Ketanji Jackson’s professional career was when she became a Supreme Court clerk under Justice Breyer, the Justice who she may replace. While doing this, Jackson also served as a public defender for people who were unable to afford a specific lawyer for their cases. If Jackson is appointed to the Supreme Court, she would be the first Justice with experience in federal public defending. 

In 2009, President Obama nominated Ketanji to serve on the US Sentencing Commission as the Vice Chair. She was confirmed in 2010. In this position, Judge Jackson focused on making sure proper sentences and just punishments were dealt out. 

After serving as Vice Chair for about two years, President Obama nominated Judge Jackson for another position. This time on the US District Court for the District of Columbia. She was to be the district court judge. She was confirmed for the position in 2013. Judge Jackson remained in this position until 2021, when she was nominated and confirmed to be a part of the US Court of Appeals in DC. 

Along with currently being a part of the US Court of Appeals, Judge Jackson also serves on the Board of Overseers at Harvard and the Board of Georgetown Day School. Clearly, she has tons of experience. Her dedication to the law can also be seen through her experience. She took a lot of steps to reach where she is today, and one would not put in that much work in if they weren’t dedicated. From the outsider’s point of view, she seems to be a strong candidate. However, the best way really see why she is a promising option is to hear what she thinks about her own work. 

A Fresh Vision

If Ketanji Brown Jackson was accepted into the Supreme Court, she would be the first black female Justice. As with any court, it is important to have diverse people who would have diverse ideas on different topics. Judge Jackson explains that her diverse experience in the legal system and in life would add a new perspective into the Supreme Court that could be helpful in having more thoughtful discussions. She has an appreciation for the justice system when it runs in a fair and just way. Furthermore, Judge Jackson is not the only law enforcer in her family. Her brother served in the US Army and a police officer, and two of her uncles were also police officers. Ketanji and her family have a unique understanding of the law, and this could prove beneficial to the biggest stage in the justice system. 

In order to select his nominee, President Biden looked through the old cases and histories of major figures in the justice system all over the country. Clearly, he seems to have found his trusted candidate. So, what now? Judge Ketanji and President Biden will turn to the Senate for its approval at the end of the 2021-2022 term.