Former assistant federal public defender, Caryn Strickland, held the rare opportunity to cross-examine her former superior, J.P. Davis, whom she accused of sexual harassment. This examination took place during a civil case concerning the management of her allegations.
Davis, who served as the inaugural assistant in the Federal Defender’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, denied the harassment charges. He corroborated a friendly rapport with Strickland after she joined the team in 2017, marked by casual outings for drinks and what he termed “mentoring lunches”. Davis remains a federal defender within the same office, albeit no longer the second-highest-ranking officer.
In the trial, Strickland and Davis represent a high-stakes power dynamic shift. Questions around how allegations of this nature are handled, especially within legal jurisdictions themselves, are under the spotlight. As the trial progresses, further details will emerge about the nature of the allegations and Strickland’s and Davis’ relationships. (Bloomberg Law)