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 stems from an investigation revealing that Kindred engaged in inappropriate relationships with judicial clerks, including a “sexualized relationship” with a clerk who later became a prosecutor. He also misled a senior judge and investigators about his conduct, while fostering a hostile work environment for law clerks.

The court’s ruling detailed that Kindred had subjected judicial employees to frequent discussions about his personal life, which included conversations of a sexual nature. Additionally, he engaged in unwanted sexual conduct—both physical and verbal—toward a former judicial employee. The **Alaska Bar Association** noted that Kindred pressured individuals aware of these allegations to remain silent.

In its findings, the Supreme Court stated, “Kindred behaved inappropriately with his law clerks and then lied about it multiple times during the investigation.” To address the situation, the court has imposed specific financial penalties on Kindred. He is required to pay **$1,000** in costs and attorney’s fees to the Alaska Bar Association. Furthermore, he must make full restitution to the **Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection**, the Bar Association, and any clients regarding unpaid fee arbitration awards prior to any future attempts to seek reinstatement.

Should Kindred wish to re-enter the legal profession, the court stipulated that he must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of continuing legal education. These hours must cover ethics, law office management, and the management of law office accounts.

Kindred was appointed to the **U.S. District Court of Alaska** in 2020 by **President Donald Trump**, with support from **U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski** and **Dan Sullivan**. This disbarment marks a significant turn in his legal career, which began with promise but has now been marred by serious allegations of misconduct.

The Alaska Supreme Court’s ruling not only reflects the seriousness of the accusations against Kindred but also underscores the commitment to maintaining ethical standards within the judicial system. The court’s detailed order, spanning **67 pages**, sheds light on the inappropriate relationships that led to this unprecedented disciplinary action.