by Kat Evans
We included Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson on our Best Public Speakers because of her word choice, pace, poise, and conviction.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first black woman and the first former federal public defender to serve on the Supreme Court. President Joe Biden appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2021 and then nominated her as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. She holds B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard-Radcliffe College in 1992, and a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1996.
We reviewed a compilation of the Biggest Moments of Ketaji Brown Jackson's Confirmation Hearings, edited by Time, where she described her beliefs, thought process, love of the USA and the constitution, and previous sentencing record. She also went under intense fire as several senators asked direct and challenging questions.
What are the main communication takeaways?
Gravitas: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks with a measured pace with impeccable word choice; every sentence is carefully constructed and delivered clearly. Her pauses are matched with her intensity, so while her approach may seem slower than the average speaker, she remains riveting.
Poise Under Pressure: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson remains calm and unflappable while being interrupted with pointed questions during her confirmation hearings.
Precise Language: While clearly possessing sophisticated legalese, her sentences before the senate remained easy to understand, focused, and clear.
How could she improve?
Use More Intentional Gestures and Body Movement: Justice Jackson Brown remains remarkably still throughout most of the video. Allowing for more movement in the body, especially adding hand gestures, will make her even more compelling.
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