Morrison & Foerster Alumna Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed to U.S. Supreme Court

Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Morrison & Foerster alumna Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as the 116th justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judge Jackson will become the first Black female Justice in the Court’s 232-year history. She will join the Court in the summer after Justice Stephen Breyer retires. Larren Nashelsky, chair of Morrison & Foerster, said: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Judge Jackson on her confirmation to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She was a key contributor to our firm, advising and assisting clients on complex legal matters and helping others through our pro bono program.”

Now a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Judge Jackson also served on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

In 2007, Jackson joined MoFo as of counsel in the firm’s Appellate and Supreme Court practice, directly following her time serving as an appellate assistant federal public defender. While at the firm, she worked on appellate cases, drafting briefs for clients whose cases were on appeal in various state and federal courts, including the Supreme Court. She left the firm in 2010 upon her confirmation as vice chair of the United States Sentencing Commission. Brian Matsui, a partner in the firm’s Appellate and Supreme Court practice, worked closely with Jackson during her time at the firm.

“Judge Jackson will bring her keen intellect and thoughtful perspective to the Supreme Court. She has an eye for nuance, and nothing daunts her,” Matsui said. “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 subtleties in a case that others might miss. She will be an outstanding Justice,” he said.

Learn more about Judge Jackson and her time with the firm.