Caroline Davidson

Norma J. Paulus Professor of Law, Willamette University, College of Law (she/her)

Professor Davidson got her JD at Harvard Law School and her AB (BA) from Princeton University, where she studied history and romance languages and literature.  She joined Willamette’s law faculty in 2008 and teaches criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, international criminal law, and international human rights.  Her scholarship focuses on comparative criminal law and procedure, human rights, and international criminal law.  

Prior to becoming an academic, Davidson worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. She worked as a prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague and at the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. She also worked as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Portland, Oregon, where she represented clients in federal indictment matters, as well as in habeas corpus proceedings related to convictions in state courts. One of the key lessons she took from both experiences was the importance of competent and zealous defense advocacy for people charged with crimes. She is honored to support the mission of PDMC as a member of its Board.