Did You Know...

50 Years of Tradition

Since 1972, the newest Justice appointed to the Supreme Court has sat in the historic John Marshall Bench Chair during their investiture ceremony. This ceremony is typically held during a special sitting of the Court in which the newest Justice takes the Judicial Oath in the Courtroom. Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr., was the first Justice to sit in the historic chair for his investiture in January 1972. The chair is positioned in front of the Bench, just below the Clerk of the Court’s desk, and the incoming Justice occupies it prior to taking the oath. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the use of the John Marshall Bench Chair during this ceremony. As of September 30, 2022, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the 18th member of the Court to sit in the chair prior to her investiture ceremony.