Remember former Trump-appointed District Court Judge Joshua Kindred? The federal judge who managed to flame out of his lifetime gig in record speed — four years — as if he’d taken the bench with a personal mission to prove that vetting is for suckers?
Yeah. That guy.
Well, the final chapter of his professional unraveling just dropped, and it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect: disbarment.
Earlier this month, the Alaska Supreme Court made it official. In a November 7 order, they handed down Kindred’s disbarment (as recommended by the Alaska Bar Association’s Disciplinary Board) like a slow-moving, ethics-soaked anvil.
In yet another weird twist in a case that has had more than its fair share, disciplinary authorities say Kindred never responded to the proceedings. Not a filing, not an appearance, not even a “new phone who dis.”
Even better, he allegedly was home when process servers attempted service. They literally saw him sitting inside his mother’s house while they knocked.
Which is… honestly art. A federal judge who once wielded the power of the United States now hiding behind his Mom while the bar tries to hand him paperwork. Chef’s kiss.
You’ll recall the Ninth Circuit’s Special Committee laid out details ripped from an HR nightmare. Investigators concluded Kindred cultivated a sexualized relationship with one of his clerks while simultaneously creating a hostile work environment for everyone else unlucky enough to be trapped in his chambers. Things got even messier when they detailed his “flirtatious rapport” with Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Vandergaw, who sent him nude photos, photos she now says she felt pressured to send, all while she continued appearing before him in active cases.
Not to tell the Federalist Society how to run its orientation sessions, but “don’t accept explicit photos from someone litigating in your courtroom” should really be on page one.
Kindred’s misconduct and messy exit didn’t just obliterate his own career — they’ve thrown a whole slew of cases into chaos.
Defense lawyers, pointing to conflicts between Kindred and prosecutors (including the same AUSA who was sending him nudes), have filed motions for new trials. And federal judges have already granted multiple do-overs.
It turns out when your judge is conducting an off-the-books erotic side-plot with someone litigating before him, it’s bad for the integrity of the process. Who knew?
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