Federal judicial service
On October 16,2019,President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Kindred to serve as a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. On November 21,2019,his nomination was sent to the Senate. President Trump nominated Kindred to the seat vacated by Judge Ralph Beistline,who assumed senior status on December 31,2015. [4] A hearing on his nomination before the Senate Judiciary Committee was held on December 4,2019. [5]
Alaska's Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski praised Kindred’s nomination. [6] On January 3,2020,his nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI,Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate. [7] Later that day,he was re-nominated to the same seat. [8] On January 16,2020,his nomination was reported out of committee by a 12–10 vote. [9] On February 11,2020,the Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 52–41 vote. [10] On February 12,2020,his nomination was confirmed by a 54–41 vote. [11] He received his judicial commission on February 18,2020. [12]
Kindred resigned on July 8,2024. [12] On the day of his resignation,the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit released a report finding that Kindred had engaged in judicial misconduct by creating a sexually hostile workplace environment for clerks employed in his chambers,by having an inappropriate sexualized relationship with a clerk during and after her time working for Kindred,and for having "deliberately lied" to investigators. The Council stated that Kindred was asked to voluntarily resign and he did so. [13] [14] On September 12,2024,the Judicial Conference of the United States referred Kindred to the United States House of Representatives for impeachment,despite Kindred's resignation. [15] An impeachment and subsequent conviction would bar Kindred from holding office in the future. [16] The Judicial Conference of the United States described Kindred's behavior as "reprehensible," and stated that it was so severe it warranted review by the United States Congress. [16]
On November 7,2025,the Supreme Court of the State of Alaska disbarred Kindred. [17]
