David W. Opderbeck

David W. Opderbeck is a Professor of Law at Seton Hall University School of Law and Co-Director of the Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology and the Institute for Privacy Protection. His work bridges law, theology, and science, focusing on technology policy, cybersecurity, privacy, intellectual property, and the intersection of neuroscience with legal theory. He holds law degrees from New York University and Seton Hall University, a Ph.D. in systematic and philosophical theology from the University of Nottingham, and certifications such as CIPP/US, CIPP/E, and cybersecurity credentials. Prior to academia, he practiced corporate law at McCarter & English, LLP, and continues private consultancy in technology law and civil rights.

Education:

• J.D. from New York University School of Law
• J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law
• Ph.D. in systematic and philosophical theology from the University of Nottingham

Research interests span AI ethics, neuro-law critiques, intellectual property reform, and theological frameworks for understanding law and human agency. His books include The End of the Law? Law, Theology, and Neuroscience (2021) and Law and Theology: Classic Questions and Contemporary Perspectives (2019), which explore the interplay between divine law, human morality, and scientific reductionism. He critiques neuroscientific determinism and advocates for a non-reductive theological approach to law and ethics, drawing on Aristotelian philosophy and Christological theology.

His legal scholarship addresses encryption policy, cybersecurity regulation, AI in pharmaceuticals, and corporate social responsibility. Notable articles include critiques of reductive neuro-law theories and frameworks for regulating AI-driven medical devices. He maintains an active blog and YouTube channel on law, technology, and theology.

Grants and advising: Details not explicitly listed, but his work involves interdisciplinary projects at the Gibbons Institute. He advises on emerging tech law, privacy, and cybersecurity compliance.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology at Seton Hall, focusing on tech policy, privacy, and interdisciplinary legal solutions.