Life tenure for U.S. Supreme Court justices is a good thing, Elena Kagan said Wednesday, but she also sees possible merit in switching to 18-year terms so that “no single nomination would be a life or death thing.”

While debate over term limits and other reforms for the Supreme Court has ramped up recently, justices have generally steered clear of the discussion.

Kagan spoke before an audience at Georgetown University Law Center to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Celebration of Pro Bono sponsored by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. ABA President Robert Carlson asked Kagan questions about pro bono service and other topics.