Criminal Law Library Blog
Introduction
In a recent analysis published in Justia’s Verdict, Cornell Law professor Michael Dorf critiques two high-profile television interviews in which Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Sonia Sotomayor promoted their new books, Barrett’s constitutional memoir Listening to the Law and Sotomayor’s children’s book Just Shine. Dorf suggests that, far from reinforcing the Court’s legitimacy, these media appearances risk reducing the Justices to TV personalities and sidestepping significant concerns about the Court’s institutional health. As Listening to the Law urges readers to engage with originalism and constitutional interpretation while championing judicial modesty, Dorf argues it fails to grapple meaningfully with recent shifts in the Court’s emergency docket and broader threats to democratic norms.
Executive Summary
In his September 12, 2025 Verdict column, Cornell Law professor Michael C. Dorf critiques recent televised interviews of Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett, conducted in connection with their new books, Sotomayor’s Just Shine: How to Be Your Best You and Barrett’s Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution. While the appearances offered personal insights and promoted their works, Dorf argues they risk diminishing the Court’s institutional gravitas by portraying the Justices as media figures. He notes that Barrett, in particular, emphasized themes of judicial modesty and process but avoided confronting pressing issues such as the Court’s use of the “shadow docket” and growing threats to constitutional norms. For Dorf, these interviews illustrate how well intentioned efforts at public engagement may inadvertently erode rather than bolster the Court’s legitimacy.
Major Themes & Observations
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Media Engagement by Justices: Both Justices appeared in television interviews to promote newly released books. Justice Barrett appeared on CBS to promote her memoir Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution, while Justice Sotomayor promoted her children’s book Just Shine: How to Be Your Best You.
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Sotomayor’s Children’s Book: The themes revolve around her mother’s life and the virtues she taught—listening, caring, seeing the best in others. Dorf highlights that while this humanizes the Justice, it also can distract from the gravity of her judicial role.
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Barrett’s Memoir and Constitutional Philosophy: Her book portrays her judicial approach—originalism, textualism, judicial modesty, and adherence to process—while also giving glimpses into her personal life and decision-making. Dorf points to a tension between portraying the Court as insulated from political pressures while remaining silent on deeper institutional issues like the “shadow docket,” emergency rulings, or rising constitutional crises.
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Assurances of Transparency & Collegiality: Both Justices reassure viewers that the Court is functioning with respect for precedent and public trust. Dorf argues, however, that Barrett’s comments show a lack of engagement with broader concerns about the Court’s authority and legitimacy.
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Overlooked Threats to Constitutional Norms: Dorf is especially critical of what he sees as Barrett’s under emphasis on growing threats to the rule of law, executive overreach, and democratic erosion. By downplaying such issues, Dorf suggests the messaging becomes defensive rather than responsibly transparent.
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The “Must-See” Problem: While the interviews draw attention, Dorf argues that they risk turning Justices into TV personalities instead of emphasizing their institutional roles. The concern is that media-friendly sound bites may erode the perceived impartiality and seriousness of the Court.