Thurgood Marshall’s journey to the Supreme Court was marked by decades of transformative civil rights advocacy, culminating in his 1967 appointment as the first African American justice on the nation’s highest court. While his early legal battles—particularly those dismantling racial segregation—are well-documented, the unique power of his Supreme Court legacy lies equally in the opinions he authored, joined, or dissented from during his twenty-four years on the bench. These writings, ranging from brief concurrences to lengthy and impassioned dissents, form the bedrock of Marshall’s jurisprudential record and offer an unparalleled window into both his interpretive style and his enduring impact on American law.
In this chapter, we zoom in on some of Justice Marshall’s most influential, resonant, and illuminating opinions. By examining these cases in detail, we see how his convictions regarding civil rights, equality, and a “living” Constitution informed every aspect of his work. Whether he was shaping majority opinions to protect criminal defendants, weaving concurrences that harmonized with broader liberal goals, or fiercely dissenting from rulings he believed compromised fundamental liberties, Marshall’s legal writings are a testament to both his moral clarity and his deep respect for constitutional principles.
Taking a closer look at specific opinions allows us to appreciate his meticulous approach to legal reasoning—an approach grounded in history yet responsive to contemporary challenges. It also highlights his consistent prioritization of marginalized voices and systemic fairness. Over the following sections, we will delve into key decisions penned or joined by Marshall, showing how his textual analysis, rhetorical skill, and unwavering advocacy forged a judicial record that remains deeply significant for scholars, practitioners, and anyone seeking a just interpretation of the law.