U.S. Justice Kavanaugh to make first major public speech since controversy

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh meets with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in McConnell's office at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, U.S., July 10, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who has kept a low profile since sexual misconduct accusations almost derailed his appointment 13 months ago, will make his first major public appearance since his Senate confirmation when he addresses a friendly audience of conservative lawyers on Thursday evening.

Kavanaugh, appointed by Republican President Donald Trump to a lifetime position on the highest U.S. judicial body, will address the annual meeting of the Federalist Society. One of the organisation's leaders, Leonard Leo, has served as an adviser to Trump on judicial nominations.