Alaska Supreme Court Disbars Former Federal Judge Joshua Kindred

The Alaska Supreme Court has officially disbarred former federal judge Joshua Kindred from practicing law in the state. This decision follows an investigation that revealed Kindred had engaged in a “sexualized relationship” with a law clerk, who subsequently became a prosecutor. The inquiry also highlighted his dishonesty towards a senior judge and investigators, as well as a hostile work environment he created for his judicial staff.

The disbarment order was issued after the Alaska Bar Association uncovered that Kindred subjected his clerks to frequent discussions about his personal life, often involving sexual content. Furthermore, he was found to have engaged in unwanted physical and verbal sexual conduct with a former judicial employee. The bar association’s documents indicated that Kindred attempted to silence individuals who had knowledge of his misconduct.

In its ruling, the Alaska Supreme Court mandated that Kindred pay $1,000 in costs and attorney’s fees to the Alaska Bar Association. He must also provide full restitution to the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection, covering any unpaid amounts owed to clients or arbitration awards prior to any future application for reinstatement.

Should Kindred seek to return to the legal profession, the court has stipulated he must complete at least 15 credit hours of continuing legal education focusing on ethics, law office management, and law office account management.

Kindred was appointed to the U.S. District Court of Alaska in 2020 by former President Donald Trump, with backing from U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. The recent ruling marks a significant fall from grace for a former judge who once held a prestigious position within the federal court system.

The Alaska Supreme Court’s detailed 67-page order, published on a recent Friday, further elaborates on the multiple instances of inappropriate conduct involving Kindred and two federal prosecutors. This case underscores the ongoing commitment of the Alaska Bar Association to uphold professional standards and accountability within the legal community.