Just over a year ago, former Trump-appointed federal judge Joshua Kindred suddenly resigned from the District of Alaska bench, only four years into his lifetime appointment.
Pretty quickly, it was obvious there were shocking allegations against the jurist. According to the Special Committee appointed by the Ninth Circuit to investigate ethics complaints against the judge, Kindred engaged in sexual misconduct, creating a sexualized relationship with one of his clerks and a hostile work environment for others. The report specifically noted an Assistant United States Attorney “with whom he had a flirtatious rapport” sent Kindred nude photographs (later identified as Karen Vandergaw, who says she was pressured into sending the judge the explicit photos), and she continued to appear before Kindred.
Yesterday, the Alaska Bar Association’s Disciplinary Board adopted a recommendation to disbar Kindred for violating three of the Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct; two related to false statements during the investigation into his conduct, one related to the allegation of sexual harassment in his chambers.
Alaska disciplinary counsel argued the facts “support[] disbarment from the practice of law for dishonesty and for the hostile work environment that took a personal and professional toll on multiple law clerks.” Kindred has not responded to any of the disciplinary charges against him, and thus, they are admitted under Alaskan law.
As reported by Bloomberg Law, the revelations about the misconduct by Kindred have struck a nerve with the public:
Louise Driscoll, a bar disciplinary counsel, said at Thursday’s hearing that bar regulators in Alaska began getting “lots of calls” after the findings against Kindred were made public. She said that “people were outraged” and asked, “why aren’t you doing anything.”
Bar regulators have been working on discipline for Kindred, though this does not represent the end of the process. The Disciplinary Board’s recommendation now moves to the Alaska Supreme Court for the final word on Kindred’s disbarment.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
The post Former Trump Judge Recommended For Disbarment appeared first on Above the Law.
Just over a year ago, former Trump-appointed federal judge Joshua Kindred suddenly resigned from the District of Alaska bench, only four years into his lifetime appointment.
Pretty quickly, it was obvious there were shocking allegations against the jurist. According to the Special Committee appointed by the Ninth Circuit to investigate ethics complaints against the judge, Kindred engaged in sexual misconduct, creating a sexualized relationship with one of his clerks and a hostile work environment for others. The report specifically noted an Assistant United States Attorney “with whom he had a flirtatious rapport” sent Kindred nude photographs (later identified as Karen Vandergaw, who says she was pressured into sending the judge the explicit photos), and she continued to appear before Kindred.
Yesterday, the Alaska Bar Association’s Disciplinary Board adopted a recommendation to disbar Kindred for violating three of the Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct; two related to false statements during the investigation into his conduct, one related to the allegation of sexual harassment in his chambers.
Alaska disciplinary counsel argued the facts “support[] disbarment from the practice of law for dishonesty and for the hostile work environment that took a personal and professional toll on multiple law clerks.” Kindred has not responded to any of the disciplinary charges against him, and thus, they are admitted under Alaskan law.
As reported by Bloomberg Law, the revelations about the misconduct by Kindred have struck a nerve with the public:
Louise Driscoll, a bar disciplinary counsel, said at Thursday’s hearing that bar regulators in Alaska began getting “lots of calls” after the findings against Kindred were made public. She said that “people were outraged” and asked, “why aren’t you doing anything.”
Bar regulators have been working on discipline for Kindred, though this does not represent the end of the process. The Disciplinary Board’s recommendation now moves to the Alaska Supreme Court for the final word on Kindred’s disbarment.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].
