Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has openly shared her feelings of exhaustion and frustration due to the demanding workload of the high court. Speaking to students at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, the 69-year-old justice described the challenges she faces serving on the Supreme Court, particularly amidst its increasing political involvement.
Sotomayor lamented the intensified workload, noting the larger case sizes, the greater number of amici curiae (friends of the court) briefs, and the busy emergency calendar that leaves little time for rest. “I’m tired,” she admitted, indicating a significant change from the past when summer breaks offered a respite.
Appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2009, Sotomayor, the first woman of color and Latina on the Supreme Court, often finds herself dissenting in crucial cases concerning issues like abortion, gun rights, and affirmative action. She discussed this during her conversation with UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, expressing that each loss deeply impacts her. “I live in frustration. Every loss truly traumatizes me in my stomach and in my heart,” she said. “But I have to get up the next morning and keep on fighting.”
Recently, Sotomayor opposed the decision to permit Alabama’s execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen gas, highlighting her stance in her dissent. She stated, “The world is watching,” emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
When asked about collaborating with colleagues who often hold opposing views, Sotomayor stressed the importance of looking for the good in people to cope with disagreements. She believes in continuing to fight for justice, despite the challenges.
This candid revelation from Justice Sotomayor underscores the growing pressures on the Supreme Court as it increasingly grapples with politically charged cases. Her comments provide insight into the personal toll that such a demanding role can have, even on the most experienced of justices.