This past February, President Biden made a historic decision in tapping Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his United States Supreme Court pick, which would make her the first Black woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court. The President announced his decision on Friday, February 25th and the process has since moved to the 50-50 Senate.
As Jackson’s nomination and potential induction as the newest Supreme Court Justice plays out, we thought we would share a bit about her background and expertise, along with some intriguing facts. We’ll start from the beginning:
Judge Jackson, born in Washington D.C. and raised in Miami, FL, grew up as the daughter of an attorney and an educator. With her father as the Chief Attorney to the Miami Dade School District and the Miami Chief of Police being her uncle, it’s apparent that justice is in her blood.
Jackson attended Harvard University as an undergraduate, and later for her law degree. While attending, she was the head of the Harvard Law Review, which has traditionally been a path for future professors and judges. Jackson is now married to a surgeon and has two daughters.
As for her professional background, Jackson is vetted in every facet of the law. She clerked for three judges, including Judge Stephen Breyer, who she may soon replace as the newest U.S. Supreme Court Justice. She then worked in the private sector under Kenneth Feinberg from 2002-2004 helping to facilitate the 9/11 victims’ compensation fund.
She then served the public sector as counsel to the Vice Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, appointed by President Obama. During this time, Judge Jackson performed duties as a Federal Public Defender before being selected for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which is a common path for future Supreme Court Justices to take.
Interestingly enough, Jackson’s birthday falls on the same day as former Judge Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman appointed as a federal judge in 1966 – and on the quirky side, Judge Jackson used to participate in improv comedy and took drama classes while attending Harvard University.
Lastly, on a familial note, Judge Jackson says that even with the many titles she’s held, her role as a mother to her young girls is always her priority. For many who listened in, this was the most heartfelt moment of her nomination speech.
Judge Brown’s recent Supreme Court nomination is a major milestone for both women and Black women alike, and ultimately sparks hope for the future of expanding diversity on the Supreme Court. Her confirmation hearing will take place on March 21, 2022.
You can hear more about Angela’s insights on Judge Jackson in her February 25, 2022 KNBC-4 Los Angeles interview with reporter Beverly White and in her February 28, 2022 interview on the Tavis Smiley Show on KBLA Talk 1580.
To follow Angela’s insights on relevant and trending employment law and workplace issues, visit her website at and follow her on Facebook and Instagram @iamangelareddockwright.com. You can also follow her on LinkedIn at angelareddock-wright, and tune-in to her radio show KBLA Talk 1580’s Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright each Saturday and Sunday at 11am PST, or catch past episodes on Anchor.fm/Spotify. For media inquiries for Angela, please reach out to monty@kwsmdigital.com.
Experienced Employment Law Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator, Legal and Media Commentator
Twice-named a U.S. News Best Lawyer in America for employment and labor law, Angela Reddock-Wright is an employment and labor law attorney, mediator, arbitrator, and certified workplace and Title IX investigator (AWI-CH) in Los Angeles, CA. Known as the “Workplace Guru,” Angela is an influencer and leading authority on employment, workplace/HR, Title IX, hazing, and bullying issues. Furthermore, she’s been named a “Top 50 Woman Attorney” in California by Super Lawyers, a “Top California Employment Lawyer” by the Daily Journal and one of Los Angeles’ “Most Influential Minority and Women Attorneys” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Angela is a regular legal and media commentator and analyst and has appeared on such media outlets as Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, Law and Crime with Brian Ross, Court TV, CNN, NewsNation, ABC News, CBS News, Fox 11 News, KTLA-5, the Black News Channel, Fox Soul – The Black Report, NPR, KPCC, Airtalk-89.3, KJLH Front Page with Dominique DiPrima, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the LA Times, Forbes.com, Yahoo! Entertainment, People Magazine, Essence Magazine, the Los Angeles Sentinel, LA Focus, Daily Journal, Our Weekly and the Wave Newspapers.
Angela is a member of the panel of distinguished mediators and arbitrators with Judicate West, a California dispute resolution company. She also owns her own dispute resolution law firm, the Reddock Law Group of Los Angeles, specializing in the mediation, arbitration, and investigation of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace claims, along with Title IX, sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct conduct cases, along with hazing and bullying cases in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, fraternities and sororities; fire, police and other public safety agencies and departments; and other private and public sector workplaces.
Reddock-Wright has also launched her own radio show, Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright, airing on Tavis Smiley’s new KBLA Talk 1580 radio station on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. PT with replays on subsequent Sundays. Listeners may tune-in by downloading the APP @kbla1580 and call the PowerLines at 1-800-920-1580. You can listen to past episodes on Anchor.Fm/Spotify.
For more information regarding resources for employers, businesses, and employees during this time, connect with her on LinkedIn for new updates, or contact her here. You may also follow her on Instagram.
This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment law attorney in your state or city.