Career Timeline of Amy Coney Barrett: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Amy Coney Barrett built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Amy Coney Barrett is an American lawyer and jurist who serves as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States since 2020. Nominated by President Donald Trump, she is the fifth woman to hold this position. Prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court, she served as a U.S. circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit from 2017 to 2020.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1994: Referenced Study by Michael Gerhardt

Barrett referenced a 1994 study by Michael Gerhardt, highlighting that textualist justices, including Scalia and Black, called for overruling precedents more often than non-textualist justices, though the reasons varied.

1997: Clerkship for Judge Laurence Silberman Begins

In 1997, Amy Coney Barrett began serving as a judicial law clerk for Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She served in this role from 1997 to 1998.

1998: Co-authored Law Review Article

In 1998, Amy Coney Barrett co-wrote a law review article with Professor John H. Garvey, which was discussed during her Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2017. The article argued that Catholic judges should in some cases recuse themselves from death penalty cases due to moral objections.

1998: Clerkship for Judge Laurence Silberman Ends and Clerkship for Justice Antonin Scalia Begins

In 1998, Amy Coney Barrett's clerkship for Judge Laurence Silberman ended. She then began clerking for Justice Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Supreme Court, a role she held from 1998 to 1999.

1999: Joined Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin

In 1999, Amy Coney Barrett started practicing law at Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin, a litigation firm in Washington, D.C.

1999: End of Clerkship for Justice Antonin Scalia

In 1999, Amy Coney Barrett's clerkship for Justice Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Supreme Court concluded.

2000: Worked on Bush v. Gore

In 2000, Amy Coney Barrett worked on Bush v. Gore, providing research and briefing assistance for Baker Botts' representation of George W. Bush.

2001: Visiting Professor at George Washington University Law School

In 2001, Amy Coney Barrett was a visiting associate professor and John M. Olin Fellow in Law at George Washington University Law School.

2001: Merger of Law Firms

In 2001, the law firm Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin, where Amy Coney Barrett was practicing, merged with Baker Botts, a firm based in Houston, Texas.

2002: Joined Notre Dame Law Faculty

In 2002, Amy Coney Barrett joined the faculty at Notre Dame Law School.

2002: Left Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin

In 2002, Amy Coney Barrett left Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin.

2005: Joined the Federalist Society

In 2005, Barrett became a member of the Federalist Society.

2006: Federalist Society Membership

In 2006, Barrett was a member of the Federalist Society.

2007: Visiting Professor at University of Virginia School of Law

In 2007, Amy Coney Barrett was a visiting professor at the University of Virginia School of Law.

2010: Became Professor at Notre Dame Law School

In 2010, Amy Coney Barrett became a professor at Notre Dame Law School.

2010: Named Professor of Law at Notre Dame

In 2010, Amy Coney Barrett was named a professor of law at Notre Dame Law School.

2010: Appointed to Advisory Committee

In 2010, Chief Justice John Roberts appointed Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Advisory Committee for the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.

2011: Spoke at Blackstone Legal Fellowship

From 2011 to 2016, Amy Coney Barrett spoke on constitutional law at Blackstone Legal Fellowship, a summer program established by the Alliance Defending Freedom.

2013: Texas Law Review Article on Stare Decisis

In a 2013 article in the Texas Law Review, Barrett listed seven cases she considered "superprecedents," excluding Roe v. Wade (1973), arguing it lacked widespread support. She referenced Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) as evidence.

2014: Held Research Chair at Notre Dame

In 2014, Amy Coney Barrett held Notre Dame's Diane and M.O. Miller II Research Chair of Law, a position she maintained until 2017.

2014: Rejoined the Federalist Society

In 2014, Barrett rejoined the Federalist Society.

2016: Spoke at Blackstone Legal Fellowship

From 2011 to 2016, Amy Coney Barrett spoke on constitutional law at Blackstone Legal Fellowship, a summer program established by the Alliance Defending Freedom.

May 8, 2017: Nomination to U.S. Court of Appeals

On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

September 6, 2017: Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

On September 6, 2017, a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing was held on Amy Coney Barrett's nomination. During the hearing, Senator Dianne Feinstein questioned Barrett about her views on faith and judicial responsibility, particularly concerning death penalty cases. This led to Feinstein's comment about "the dogma lives loudly within you".

October 5, 2017: Senate Judiciary Committee Recommended Barrett

On October 5, 2017, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11–9 along party lines to recommend Amy Coney Barrett and report her nomination to the full Senate.

2017: 7th Circuit Confirmation Hearing

During her 2017 Senate confirmation hearing for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, Barrett stated that she would follow Supreme Court precedent while on the appellate bench.

2017: Appointment to U.S. Court of Appeals

In 2017, Amy Coney Barrett became a U.S. circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, where she served until 2020.

2017: AutoZone Civil Lawsuit Involvement

In 2017, Amy Coney Barrett joined the court as it received a petition for rehearing en banc in a civil lawsuit against AutoZone. The EEOC argued that AutoZone's assignment of employees to different stores based on race violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Barrett voted to deny the petition to rehear the case.

2017: End of Research Chair at Notre Dame

In 2017, Amy Coney Barrett stopped holding Notre Dame's Diane and M.O. Miller II Research Chair of Law.

2017: Constitutional Commentary Article

In 2017, Barrett wrote an article in the law review Constitutional Commentary, reviewing a book by Randy E. Barnett where she stated that the Constitution's original public meaning is the law that must be adhered to until lawfully changed.

2017: End of Federalist Society Membership

In 2017, Barrett's membership in the Federalist Society ended.

2017: Barrett on Trump's List

In 2017, almost immediately after her court of appeals confirmation, Barrett was on Trump's list of potential Supreme Court nominees.

May 2018: Barrett Dissent on Right to Counsel

In May 2018, Barrett dissented from a panel decision that found an accused murderer's right to counsel was violated. Her position was later supported by a majority of the circuit's judges following a rehearing.

June 2018: Barrett on Lack of Expert Testimony in Pharmaceutical Case

In June 2018, Barrett wrote for a unanimous panel, finding that a plaintiff could not sue Teva Pharmaceuticals for alleged defects in her IUD due to the lack of supportive expert testimony.

July 2018: Barrett as Finalist for Supreme Court Nomination

In July 2018, after Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement announcement, Barrett was reportedly one of three finalists Trump considered for the Supreme Court nomination.

August 2018: Barrett on Anonymous Tip and Vehicle Search

In August 2018, Barrett wrote for a unanimous panel, determining that police lacked probable cause to search a vehicle based solely on an anonymous tip about people "playing with guns," as no crime had been alleged.

2018: Barrett as Possible Nominee

After Kavanaugh's selection in 2018, Barrett was viewed as a possible nominee for a future U.S. Supreme Court vacancy.

2018: Voted Against Striking Down Indiana Fetal Remains Law

In 2018, Amy Coney Barrett voted against striking down an Indiana law requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains. This vote was in the minority.

2018: Orchard Hill Building Co. v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers case

In 2018, Barrett joined a unanimous panel decision in the Orchard Hill Building Co. v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers case, challenging the Corps' determination about wetlands jurisdiction. The case was remanded for reconsideration.

2018: Howard v. Koeller Case

In 2018, Barrett was on a three-judge panel that found qualified immunity did not protect a prison officer who labeled a prisoner a "snitch" and thereby exposed him to risk from his fellow inmates in Howard v. Koeller.

January 2019: Barrett Denies Qualified Immunity to Homicide Detective

In January 2019, Barrett wrote for a unanimous panel denying qualified immunity to a homicide detective who knowingly provided false information in a probable cause affidavit used to obtain an arrest warrant. The court found this violated the plaintiff's Fourth Amendment rights.

February 2019: Joined Decision Upholding Chicago "Bubble Ordinance"

In February 2019, Amy Coney Barrett joined a unanimous panel decision upholding a Chicago "bubble ordinance" that restricts approaching abortion clinics or patrons without consent, citing the Supreme Court's decision in Hill v. Colorado.

February 2019: Barrett on unreasonable search of residence

In February 2019, Barrett wrote for a unanimous panel, which found that police officers had been unreasonable to assume "that a woman who answers the door in a bathrobe has authority to consent to a search of a male suspect's residence."

March 2019: Barrett dissents on gun control law

In March 2019, Judge Barrett dissented when the court upheld a federal law prohibiting felons from possessing firearms, arguing that it violated the Second Amendment in the case of non-violent offenders.

May 2019: Authored Opinion on Visa Denial Case

In May 2019, Amy Coney Barrett authored a 2–1 majority opinion in a case challenging the denial of a visa to a Yemeni citizen, upholding the consular officer's decision under the doctrine of consular nonreviewability.

June 2019: Authored Unanimous Decision in Purdue University Case

In June 2019, Amy Coney Barrett wrote a unanimous decision reinstating a suit brought by a male Purdue University student, John Doe, who alleged sex discrimination and due process violations by the university.

June 2019: Barrett on Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

In June 2019, Barrett wrote for the unanimous panel, finding that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cannot create a cause of action for a debtor who received collection letters lacking notices required by the statute, because she suffered no injury-in-fact to create constitutional standing to sue under Article III.

2019: Voted to Rehear Challenge to Indiana's Parental Notification Law

In 2019, Amy Coney Barrett voted to rehear a successful challenge to Indiana's parental notification law. This law required parental notification for minors seeking abortions.

2019: Wrote Opinion in Smith v. Illinois Department of Transportation

In 2019, Amy Coney Barrett wrote the unanimous three-judge panel opinion affirming summary judgment in the case of Smith v. Illinois Department of Transportation, concerning a Black employee's claim of racial discrimination.

June 2020: Dissent on "Public Charge Rule"

In June 2020, Amy Coney Barrett wrote a 40-page dissent when the majority upheld a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's "public charge rule", which heightened the standard for obtaining a green card.

July 2020: Supreme Court Ordered Rehearing in Parental Notification Case

In July 2020, the Supreme Court ordered a rehearing in the parental notification case, where Barrett had previously voted to rehear a successful challenge to Indiana's parental notification law in 2019.

August 2020: Barrett on Teamsters Local Standing in Shakman Case

In August 2020, Barrett wrote for a unanimous panel holding that a Teamsters local did not have standing to appeal an order in the Shakman case because it was not formally a party to the case.

September 2020: Barrett on Illinois Republican Party's Request

In early September 2020, Barrett joined Wood's opinion upholding the district court's denial of the Illinois Republican Party's request for a preliminary injunction to block Governor J. B. Pritzker's COVID-19 orders.

September 26, 2020: Nomination to the Supreme Court

On September 26, 2020, Amy Coney Barrett was nominated by President Trump to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. This nomination occurred shortly after Justice Ginsburg's death and sparked controversy due to its proximity to the 2020 presidential election.

October 27, 2020: Barrett becomes Supreme Court Justice

On October 27, 2020, Barrett became the 103rd associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Trump hosted a swearing-in ceremony at the White House the same evening.

November 2020: Barrett Assigned to Seventh Circuit

In November 2020, Barrett was assigned to the Seventh Circuit, with duties including responding to emergency applications to the Court arising from the circuit's jurisdiction.

November 26, 2020: Barrett Joins Majority in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo

On November 26, 2020, Barrett joined the Supreme Court's majority in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, granting a preliminary injunction against certain COVID-19 restrictions instituted by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, stating that the restrictions had likely impinged on the fundamental right of the free exercise of religion without their passing the legal test of strict scrutiny.

2020: Appointment to the Supreme Court

In 2020, Amy Coney Barrett became an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, nominated by President Donald Trump.

2020: Political Reactions to Barrett's Nomination

In 2020, Barrett's nomination was generally supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats, with controversies arising over filling the vacancy so close to the presidential election.

2020: Nomination Acceptance Speech

In 2020, during her nomination acceptance speech at the White House Rose Garden, Barrett said, "Judges are not policymakers, and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold"; she also said judges "must apply the law as written".

2020: Barrett's Supreme Court Confirmation Process

In October 2020, the American Bar Association rated Barrett "well qualified". Her confirmation hearing began on October 12. On October 26, the Senate confirmed Barrett to the Supreme Court by a vote of 52–48, 30 days after her nomination and 8 days before the 2020 presidential election.

February 5, 2021: Barrett delivers first concurring opinion

On February 5, 2021, Barrett delivered her first concurring opinion in the case South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom.

March 4, 2021: First Majority Opinion

On March 4, 2021, Barrett wrote her first majority opinion in United States Fish and Wildlife Service v. Sierra Club. This opinion, unlike those of some recent justices, was for a divided court, reminiscent of Justice Ginsburg.

June 2021: Fulton v. City of Philadelphia Decision

In June 2021, Barrett joined a unanimous Supreme Court decision in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, ruling in favor of a Catholic social service agency. The court declined to overturn Employment Division v. Smith.

August 12, 2021: Barrett rejects challenge to Indiana University's vaccine mandate

On August 12, 2021, Barrett rejected a challenge to Indiana University's vaccine mandate, marking the first legal test of COVID-19 vaccine mandates before the Supreme Court of the United States.

September 2021: Barrett Votes on Texas Abortion Law

In September 2021, Barrett joined the majority, in a 5–4 vote, to reject a petition to temporarily block a Texas law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

November 2021: Mercy San Juan Medical Center Appeal Rejection

In November 2021, Barrett voted with the majority in a 6-3 decision to reject an appeal from Mercy San Juan Medical Center, which sought to deny a hysterectomy to a transgender patient on religious grounds. The Court's decision left in place a lower court ruling in favor of the transgender patient.

January 2022: Barrett Dissent on Alabama Execution Case

In January 2022, the Supreme Court voted to allow the execution of an inmate to proceed in Alabama; the case was decided by a 5–4 vote, with Barrett joining Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan in dissent.

June 2022: Barrett votes to overturn Roe v. Wade

In June 2022, Barrett joined with the same majority in Dobbs v. Jackson, voting to completely overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

November 2023: Washington Conversion Therapy Ban

In November 2023, Barrett voted with the 6–3 majority to decline to hear an appeal of a decision that upheld Washington's ban on conversion therapy for minors, allowing the law to stand.