On Feb. 25, 2022 Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a justice on the United States Supreme Court. Judge Jackson’s nomination came after the retirement announcement of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer. Justice Breyer has served on the Supreme Court for 27 years, after his appointment from President Bill Clinton in 1994. 

Judge Jackson graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, soon followed by graduating cum laude at Harvard Law School.  During her career, she has served as United States Circuit Judge, a United States District Judge andVice Chair and Commissioner on the United States Sentencing Commission. A nomination to the Highest Court in the Land is an extensive process taken out by the current Presidential administration when an appointment is needed. Every aspect of potential candidates’ lives are scoped out–career, education, family, personal life–because all of it will come into question during the three day Senate hearing. 

Judge Jackon’s appointment came from her vast experience in all areas of the American court system. Her experience not only as a judge, but as a lawyer, a public defender nonetheless, allowed her to witness all types of cases and garner more experience. During the three day Senate hearing, much of the experience that was beneficial in her original nomination was called into question. As a public defender, Judge Jackson had to represent her clients whether they were guilty or innocent. A lot of her work as a defendant in past cases was called into question by Senators, wondering if her defense was a representation of her personal beliefs; consequently, Judge Jackson was required multiple times during the Senate hearing to remind the commission and the audience of what exactly her job as a judge entailed. Her poise and well-structured responses during her Senate hearing were even more of a perspective  into Judge Jackson’s personality and how she could potentially conduct on the court. 

On Apr. 45, the Seante Judiciary Committee deadlocked, 14 for and 14 against, on the vote to approve Judge Jackson for the court. It was then decided that the was to move directly onto Senate floor. On Apr. 7, Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the United States Supreme Court. The vote was commenced with 53 votes for and 47 votes against, party lines being crossed in support of Judge Jackson’s nomination. Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman to serve as a justice, the third Black justice and the sixth woman to serve overall since the court’s establishment in 1789.