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Brett Kavanaugh

Brett Kavanaugh is an American lawyer and jurist who has served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States since 2018.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Brett Kavanaugh is an American lawyer and jurist who has served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States since 2018. He previously served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2006 to 2018. His nomination and confirmation drew significant public attention and controversy in 2018.

Early life and education

Kavanaugh was born in Washington, D.C., in 1965. He attended Yale College and Yale Law School, where his education and early legal training formed the basis for his later work in government and the federal judiciary.

Before joining the Supreme Court, Kavanaugh held positions as a law clerk, in the Office of the Solicitor General, in the Office of Independent Counsel, and in the George W. Bush administration. He was appointed to the D.C. Circuit in 2006.

Supreme Court nomination

President Donald Trump nominated Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in July 2018 to fill the seat of Justice Anthony Kennedy. His confirmation process was highly contentious and received extensive national attention.

Tenure on the Supreme Court

Kavanaugh has served as an associate justice since October 6, 2018. He is generally identified with the Court's conservative bloc and has participated in major decisions since joining the bench.

Key facts

  • Kavanaugh was born in Washington, D.C., in 1965.
  • He graduated from Yale College and Yale Law School.
  • He served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2006 to 2018.
  • President Donald Trump nominated him to the Supreme Court in 2018.
  • He was confirmed by the Senate and took his seat on October 6, 2018.
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Canadian context

Kavanaugh is relevant to Canadian readers because U.S. Supreme Court decisions can affect cross-border legal, trade, immigration, and constitutional issues that matter to Canada and Canadians.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Brett Kavanaugh?
Brett Kavanaugh is an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed in 2018 after previously serving on the D.C. Circuit.
When was Brett Kavanaugh born?
He was born on February 12, 1965.
What schools did Brett Kavanaugh attend?
He attended Yale College and Yale Law School.
When did Brett Kavanaugh join the Supreme Court?
He took his seat on October 6, 2018, after Senate confirmation.
What did Brett Kavanaugh do before the Supreme Court?
He served as a federal judge on the D.C. Circuit and held legal and policy roles in the U.S. government.

References

  1. Supreme Court Historical Society — https://supremecourthistory.org/supreme-court-justices/associate-justice-brett-m-kavanaugh/
    Supports: Birth date and place, education, clerkships, government service, D.C. Circuit service, and Supreme Court appointment date.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Brett-Kavanaugh
    Supports: Biography, nomination and confirmation details, and context on the controversy surrounding the 2018 hearings.
  3. Oyez — https://www.oyez.org/justices/brett_m_kavanaugh
    Supports: Confirmation date, seat filled, education, D.C. Circuit service, and family details.