The Alaska Bar Association will hold a disbarment vote next month following findings of serious judicial misconduct. Former US District Judge Joshua Kindred resigned in 2024 after investigators uncovered a sexualized relationship with a law clerk.
The clerk later became a prosecutor and allegedly lied about the relationship to a senior judge and federal investigators. Kindred failed to appear in his state disciplinary hearing in June after a complaint was filed with the bar association in January.
The hearing committee unanimously agreed that disbarment was the appropriate consequence for his actions. Kindred, appointed by President Donald Trump, maintained what officials called a hostile world environment for clerks while on the bench.
If disbarred, Kindred would be barred from practicing law in Alaska, where his license remains inactive. Before this case, no current or former federal judge has ever faced disbarment in Alaska.
Annette Blair, legal secretary of the bar association’s discipline section, explained that the final decision section explained that the final decision rests with the Alaska Supreme Court. The court typically acts on recommendations made by the Bar’s board of governors, which plans to vote on August 21.
According to association documents, the board will meet via Zoom, and Kindred’s disciplinary vote will be scheduled for the afternoon sessions. If approved, the vote recommendation will be forwarded to the state’s highest court for a final ruling at a later date.
