President Donald Trump has chosen Joshua Kindred as the new U.S. District Court judge for Alaska. The White House made the announcement today.
Kindred, a former attorney for the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA), is an Anchorage attorney for the Department of the Interior. He served as an Assistant District Attorney and Violent Unit Supervisor for the State of Alaska. Upon graduation from law school at Willamette University College of Law, Kindred clerked for Chief Justice Paul DeMuniz of the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon.
He is married to Tali Birch Kindred, the daughter of the late State Sen. Chris Birch and Pam Birch.
Kindred’s nomination must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, but he already has the support of both Alaska senators:
“I congratulate Joshua on being nominated to serve on the federal bench for the District of Alaska,” said Sen. Dan Sullivan. “With his extensive criminal and trial experience, combined with a deep understanding of Alaska and Alaska-centric federal laws that are so important to our state, like the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), I am confident he will be an exceptional jurist who will faithfully apply the law and uphold the Constitution.”
“Congratulations to Joshua on this nomination. We are proud of his continued dedication and willingness to serve Alaska and Alaskans,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski. “Joshua, a homegrown Alaskan, has an array of experience in both public and private practice, including in criminal and civil litigation and natural resource law. The balance of working in both public and private practice gives him a well-rounded background for understanding all sides of the court process. This experience will serve him, and Alaskans, well.”
Jon Katchen, an Anchorage attorney, had earlier been named to the post but withdrew his nomination.
