What is Samuel Alito's Net Worth and Salary?
Samuel Alito is a distinguished lawyer and jurist with a net worth of $2 million. Serving as an associate justice of the US Supreme Court since 2006, Alito rose to prominence through various important legal roles. His career began as the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, followed by a judgeship on the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Noted for his conservative jurisprudence, Alito has authored majority opinions in significant cases like Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, Murphy v. NCAA, and Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which controversially overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 2022.
Salary
As an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Samuel Alito earns a base annual salary of $265,000. His financial disclosures reveal that he often garners an additional $20,000 to $30,000 annually from his work as a guest professor at various universities.
Early Life and Education
Born on April 1, 1950, in Trenton, New Jersey, Samuel Alito was the son of Italian immigrants Samuel Sr. and Rose. Both parents were educators. Alito graduated as valedictorian from Steinert High School in 1968 and went on to Princeton University, earning a summa cum laude degree in 1972. He furthered his education with a JD from Yale Law School in 1975, after which he served briefly in the US Army, receiving an honorable discharge from the Reserve in 1980.
Career Beginnings
Alito started his legal career clerking for Third Circuit appeals judge Leonard I. Garth in 1976-1977. From 1977 to 1981, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, prosecuting organized crime and drug trafficking cases. Alito's career advanced as he worked as an assistant to US Solicitor General Rex E. Lee from 1981 to 1985, and then as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel under Charles J. Cooper until 1987.
United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey
Alito's tenure as the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1987 to 1990 was marked by high-profile cases, including the trial of 20 defendants linked to mob boss Anthony Accetturo. Although all were acquitted, his involvement in prosecuting other notable cases, such as the trial of an FBI agent's assailant and a member of the Japanese Red Army, highlighted his legal prowess.
United States Court of Appeals
In 1990, George H. W. Bush nominated Alito to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, where he served until his Supreme Court tenure. He ruled on significant cases, often taking conservative stances. His majority opinions included Planned Parenthood v. Casey, while notable dissents featured United States v. Rybar and Doe v. Groody.
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United States Supreme Court
On October 31, 2005, George W. Bush nominated Alito to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the US Supreme Court. Despite significant opposition due to his conservative views, the Senate confirmed him in January 2006 by a 58-42 vote. Alito's first-term decisions included majority opinions in Holmes v. South Carolina, Woodford v. Ngo, and Zedner v. United States.
Alito has faced considerable criticism for his stance on women's rights, notably for advocating the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In 2022, a leaked draft of his majority opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization revealed plans to overturn these landmark cases, severely restricting abortion rights and igniting global protests.
Personal Life
In 1985, Alito married law librarian Martha-Ann, and they have two children. The family resided in West Caldwell, New Jersey, before moving to Alexandria, Virginia, following Alito's Supreme Court appointment.
