This moment is historic for many reasons. Newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson from Washington, D.C., has just been confirmed the 116th justice of the high court. This appointment will make her the first African American woman to serve in the 233 years of Supreme Court history.

In addition to being the first Black Woman to sit on the highest United States court, she will also be the only person with public defender experience to take a seat on the bench. The only other Justice to have represented indigent defendants in their legal care, was Thurgood Marshall. While her Supreme Court legacy is yet to be determined, her past speaks to her ability to defend the Constitution, the vulnerable, and those with no voice. 

In a recent statement on why she chose to serve as a public defender, Justice Jackson shares that within her career in law, she discovered that she “lacked a practical understanding of the actual workings of the federal criminal justice system, and [I] decided that serving “in the trenches,” so to speak, would be helpful. A position with the Federal Public Defender was a highly competitive and extraordinary opportunity to hone one’s litigation skills and to gain knowledge about critical aspects of federal criminal justice processes.” 

What does this mean?

Each year, the Supreme Court receives several requests to hear final appeals to death penalty cases, among other important Constitutional cases related to criminal law. With the importance in American ideals to protect accused people (40% of the Bill of Rights protects accused people), we are encouraged to see that her perspective as a former public defender can influence her legal opinions on the court. 

Recognizing the importance of  defendants’ human rights and being an advocate of marginalized and oppressed communities in an unjust criminal justice system to this day, Justice Jackson’s presence on the Supreme Court is a win within itself to have better representation for a diverse nation. However, the simple truth is that she will have her work cut out for her. Her history in public defense shows that she is up for the challenge.

Here at Restoring Justice, we take our responsibility as public defenders seriously as we focus on client-centered work to encourage systemic change. In a just society, there should be fair representation for everyone, and there should be freedom for all.