Current Age and Basic Biographical Facts
Elena Kagan was born on April 28, 1960, which makes her 65 years old as of 2025. She is an American lawyer and jurist who serves as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Her appointment marked a historic shift in the court's ideological balance, and her age is frequently referenced in discussions about judicial tenure and retirement timing. This section provides the core biographical data tied directly to her current age and status. For a detailed biography, see the official Supreme Court profile at Supreme Court of the United States.
Career Timeline and Major Appointments
Kagan graduated from Princeton University and the University of Chicago Law School before clerking for Justice Thurgood Marshall. She later served as a professor at the University of Chicago Law School and as Associate White House Counsel under President Bill Clinton. In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her as Solicitor General of the United States, making her the first woman to hold that office. The following year, Obama nominated her to the Supreme Court, where she has served since August 7, 2010. More details on her solicitor general role are available at U.S. Department of Justice.
Academic and Government Service
Before her government appointments, Kagan was the first female dean of Harvard Law School, serving from 2003 to 2009. Her academic work focused on constitutional law, administrative law, and legal theory. She also held a visiting professorship at the University of Virginia School of Law and worked in private practice and policy advisory roles. These positions shaped her judicial philosophy and are frequently cited in legal analyses of her rulings.
Judicial Philosophy and Notable Supreme Court Decisions
On the Supreme Court, Kagan is generally identified as part of the liberal wing, though she often builds consensus across ideological lines. She has authored influential opinions in cases involving administrative law, the First Amendment, and criminal procedure. Her writing style is noted for clarity, doctrinal precision, and a pragmatic approach to statutory interpretation. Her decisions are regularly analyzed in legal and financial news outlets, including coverage by Forbes.
Key Case Areas
Kagan has played a significant role in major rulings on voting rights, gun regulation, and separation of powers. Her votes and authored opinions often affect regulatory agencies, executive power, and individual rights. Legal scholars and practitioners closely follow her positions because they frequently signal the court's direction on administrative and constitutional questions. These rulings have direct implications for financial regulation, corporate governance, and federal agency authority.
Net Worth, Public Records, and Financial Context
As a sitting Supreme Court Justice, Elena Kagan's financial disclosures are subject to public reporting requirements under federal ethics rules. Her net worth is estimated based on publicly available financial disclosures, including investments, real estate, and salary from her judicial role. The Supreme Court publishes annual financial reports for justices, which provide data on income, assets, and liabilities. These disclosures are accessible through the Supreme Court's official website and related government portals.
Disclosure and Transparency
Financial disclosures for Supreme Court Justices are filed with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and are made available to the public. The reports include information on assets held, income sources, and certain liabilities. While the exact net worth of Kagan is not precisely quantified in a single public figure, the disclosures allow for informed estimates. For the latest financial disclosure forms and related documents, visit the