Attorney Nicole Westmoreland, a veteran criminal defense lawyer and survivor of sexual assault, has officially joined the legal team defending music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in his upcoming federal trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
The move, filed Monday in the Southern District of New York, comes as jury selection enters its final phase.
Westmoreland, who is based in Atlanta and leads her own private law practice, brings not only courtroom experience but also a deeply personal history to the case.
At age 19, she was the victim of a rape that occurred inside Patchwerk Studios in Atlanta in 2001 — a case involving high-profile figures in the hip-hop industry.
According to her statements and public records, Westmoreland had accompanied friends to the studio that night after receiving an invitation to meet with Cash Money Records executives.
Once inside, Alfred Cleveland, the then-president of the label and brother of rapper Bryan “Birdman” Williams, allegedly offered to show her the bathroom before forcing her inside and sexually assaulting her.
Cleveland was arrested and later pled guilty to aggravated assault with intent to rape. In 2008, Westmoreland filed a civil suit against the Williams brothers and their label for negligence and failure to provide a safe environment.
Despite the traumatic experience, Westmoreland went on to earn a law degree and has since built a respected criminal defense career.
Her caseload has included work in high-profile matters, most recently representing a co-defendant in Georgia’s YSL RICO case, where she negotiated a favorable plea deal.
Her addition to Combs’ legal team has drawn attention due to the nature of the charges against the defendant, which include multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
Federal prosecutors have brought a sweeping indictment against Combs, accusing him of operating a sex trafficking enterprise that exploited vulnerable women over the course of several years.
Legal observers note that Westmoreland’s appointment may serve multiple strategic purposes. Aside from her legal expertise, her status as a Black woman and a survivor of sexual assault may carry weight with jurors in a case where race, gender, and power dynamics are expected to be key themes.
She joins attorney Brian Steel, another recent addition to Combs’ team, as well as longtime defense counsel in the case. On Wednesday morning, Westmoreland and Steel were seen entering the federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan as jury selection continued.
According to USA Today, by the end of Wednesday’s proceedings, the number of qualified jurors had narrowed to 45. The final panel will be selected on May 9, with opening statements anticipated shortly thereafter.
Westmoreland has not made any public statements regarding her role on the team or her personal history, and neither has Combs, who has denied all allegations and maintains his innocence.
