Louis Brandeis and the SBLI Legacy
SBLI is all about simplifying insurance for everyday families. But have you ever wondered who’s behind this mission?
It’s none other than our founder, Louis Brandeis.
More than a Supreme Court Justice and outstanding lawyer, Louis Brandeis was a champion of the people. Throughout his career, he fought against corporate greed, pushed for workers’ rights, and reshaped American law. But one of his most lasting contributions? Making life insurance simple and affordable for people who needed it most.
In 1907, Brandeis helped create Savings Bank Life Insurance (SBLI) to ensure working-class families could get the security and protection they deserved — without overpaying or navigating confusing policies. His belief in fairness and transparency still defines SBLI today.
From his groundbreaking legal work to his vision for accessible life insurance, Brandeis left a legacy that still impacts millions.
Let’s dive into his life, his career, and how his values shaped SBLI into the company it is today.
Early Life and Education
Before we go into how Louis Brandeis shaped SBLI, let’s talk about his early life.
Louis Brandeis was born on November 13, 1856, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was the son of immigrant parents from Prague who valued education, free thought, and social justice. Given his upbringing, it’s no surprise that these values shaped Brandeis from an early age.
The young Louis proved his intellectual acumen early on. As a child, Brandeis excelled in school, showing an incredible ability to analyze and understand complex ideas. Later, he spent two years studying in Germany1, where he developed a deep appreciation for discipline and intellectual rigor.
At just 18, Louis Brandeis enrolled at Harvard Law School—a remarkable feat considering he had not completed college. This speaks to his intellectual drive and commitment to advancing his education.
While many would have struggled with the challenges of Harvard Law, Louis thrived. He graduated as valedictorian in 1877, earning the highest GPA in the school’s history. It was during his time there that he realized the law should serve the people — not just the wealthy or powerful.
This foundation would guide Brandeis throughout his career, leading him to become a fierce advocate for fairness, justice, and economic accessibility — principles that later inspired the creation of SBLI.
Legal Career and Notable Cases
Before Louis Brandeis became a Supreme Court Justice, he built a reputation as one of the most influential and forward-thinking lawyers in the country. Besides winning cases, he made sure the law protected ordinary people and not just corporations and the wealthy elite. For this reason, Brandeis earned the nickname “The People’s Attorney2.”
Ahead of his time, Brandeis was famous for using detailed research and real-world data to support his arguments. This data-driven technique would later be called the “Brandeis Brief3.”
This approach changed how legal cases were argued, placing facts and evidence at the center of courtroom battles instead of relying solely on legal precedents. His work shaped major areas of law, from privacy rights to corporate regulation.4
Championing the Right to Privacy
One of Brandeis’ most groundbreaking contributions to law was his argument for the right to privacy.
In 1890, long before the digital age, he co-authored an article in the Harvard Law Review4 that argued individuals should be protected from unnecessary invasions of their private lives. At the time, the press was becoming more intrusive, and Brandeis believed personal privacy was important to democracy.
His ideas laid the groundwork for modern privacy laws, influencing everything from protections against government surveillance to regulations on how companies handle personal data today.
Fighting Corporate Monopolies
Brandeis was a fierce opponent of monopolies and corporate greed. He believed large corporations, if left unchecked, could crush competition and exploit consumers. He represented cases that sought to break up powerful monopolies, arguing that the economy should work for everyone, not just a handful of wealthy business owners.
One of his most famous cases involved working with President Woodrow Wilson to shape policies that led to the creation of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Reserve System5.
These institutions helped regulate businesses and protect consumers — ideas that are still fundamental to the economy today.
Advocating for Fair Wages and Worker Rights
Brandeis was also a champion for workers, fighting for fair wages, reasonable working hours, and safer conditions. In Muller v. Oregon (1908)6, he successfully defended an Oregon law that limited the number of hours women could work in factories.
Instead of focusing solely on legal arguments, he presented medical and social research showing how long work hours harmed women’s health. This was a revolutionary tactic at the time and is still widely used in legal cases today.
Brandeis and Accessible Financial Services
Brandeis wasn’t just concerned with the courtroom — he also wanted to make financial services, including life insurance, more accessible to everyday people. He believed financial security should be available to working-class families, not just the wealthy. This philosophy played a major role in the creation of SBLI, where life insurance was made simple, affordable, and transparent.
His legal career was defined by a commitment to fairness and justice, and his core philosophies set the stage for his appointment to the Supreme Court and his lasting impact on the legal and financial world.
Appointment to the Supreme Court
By the early 1900s, Louis Brandeis had already established himself as a brilliant legal mind and a tireless advocate for justice. His dedication to fairness, consumer rights, and corporate accountability made him a natural fit for the Supreme Court.
However, his appointment wasn’t without challenges. The nomination sparked one of the most intense confirmation battles in American history.
A Controversial Nomination
Brandeis was the first Jewish nominee to the Supreme Court, and his confirmation process was one of the most contested in history. Many in the political and business elite opposed him, not only due to antisemitism but also because of his progressive views. His legal battles against monopolies and corporate abuse had made him powerful enemies, who feared his influence on the Court.
Despite fierce opposition, Brandeis’ qualifications were undeniable. After months of debate, he was confirmed, marking a shift toward a more consumer-focused and socially conscious legal system.
A Supreme Court Justice for the People
Serving from 1916 to 1939, Brandeis championed individual rights, free speech, and protections against government overreach. In Whitney v. California (1927)7, he defended the right to free speech, laying the foundation for modern First Amendment protections.
Known for his meticulous research and “Brandeis Brief” method, he influenced future legal strategies by incorporating data and real-world impact into court arguments.
A Lasting Influence
Brandeis broke barriers as the first Jewish Supreme Court justice8 and helped shape American law for generations. Even after his retirement in 1939, his legal philosophies continued to guide debates on privacy, corporate regulation, and social justice.
His legacy remains a testament to his lifelong commitment to fairness, democracy, and protecting the public good — be it in law or in life insurance.
Louis Brandeis’ Influence in Founding SBLI
Louis Brandeis’ beliefs in social justice shaped his desire for economic fairness. As a result, his vision extended beyond the courtroom to real-world solutions that could protect everyday Americans from financial insecurity.
One of his most impactful contributions was his role in the founding of SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance) in 1907.
A Solution to a Broken System
At the time, life insurance was often too expensive or overly complicated for working-class families. Many policies were riddled with hidden fees, and nearly 80% were canceled before families could benefit from them.
Brandeis saw this as an injustice — one that disproportionately harmed middle- and lower-income individuals. He believed life insurance should be affordable, transparent, and accessible to all.
The Mutual Savings Bank Model
Brandeis championed a mutual savings bank life insurance model, a revolutionary idea that removed profit-driven middlemen. Instead of prioritizing shareholders, SBLI was designed to serve policyholders directly, keeping costs low and ensuring fairness in pricing.
This approach reflected his broader mission of empowering communities by creating financial systems that worked for the people, not just for corporations.
SBLI’s Commitment to Transparency and Affordability
Under Brandeis’ influence, SBLI was built on principles of integrity, simplicity, and fairness. He worked closely with actuaries and financial experts to ensure the company was both financially stable and consumer friendly.
His commitment to ethical practices continues to define SBLI’s mission today. And that’s making life insurance easy to understand and accessible for families of all backgrounds.
A Legacy That Lives On
Brandeis’ work in founding SBLI wasn’t just about reforming insurance; it was about ensuring financial security for generations to come.
More than a century later, SBLI still upholds his values — offering reliable, low-cost life insurance with a focus on customer needs, not corporate profits.
His vision remains at the heart of SBLI’s mission, proving that fairness and financial protection should go hand in hand. Even today, the results of Brandeis’ vision are experienced by countless life insurance policy holders.
Explore SBLI: Where Louis Brandeis’ Principles of Fairness Meet Life Insurance Excellence
Louis Brandeis believed that financial security should be accessible to everyone — not just the wealthy. This philosophy still drives SBLI today. For over a century, we’ve remained committed to affordable, transparent, and customer-focused life insurance, staying true to Brandeis’ vision.
If you’re looking for a life insurance provider that values integrity and fairness, SBLI is here to help. Explore our strength and ratings here and discover how we continue to put policyholders first.
Find the Right Policy for You
Life insurance should be simple, affordable, and built around your needs. Get a quick quote or speak with one of our trusted and knowledgeable agents today.
1 “Louis Brandeis,” Brandeis University
2 “Justice Louis D. Brandeis: The People’s Attorney,” South Dakota Humanities Council
3 “The Brandeis Brief in Its Entirety,” University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis Collection
4 “Privacy and Brand,” MIT CSAIL
5 “Origins of the Federal Trade Commission,” Federal Trade Commission
6 “Muller v. Oregon Case Summary,” FindLaw
7 “Whitney v. California, 274 U.S. 357 (1927),” Justia
8 “Louis Brandeis,” Brandeis University
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