Donna Shestowsky

Donna Shestowsky is a Professor of Law at the University of California, Davis School of Law, where she conducts extensive research on dispute resolution processes, litigant behavior, and the psychology of legal procedures. Her work bridges legal scholarship with psychological insights to improve understanding of how individuals navigate the justice system.

Professor Shestowsky's research focuses primarily on dispute resolution, with particular emphasis on:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes and perceptions
• Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) implementation and effectiveness
• Litigants' psychological responses to legal procedures
• Procedural justice and fairness in court systems
• Empirical studies of how individuals evaluate legal processes
• Family law and small claims court dispute resolution mechanisms

Her scholarly work reveals consistent patterns in how individuals assess legal procedures, with particular attention to control, voice, and fairness. Shestowsky's research demonstrates that litigants' evaluations of procedures often differ significantly from legal professionals' assumptions, highlighting the importance of empirical approaches to justice system design. Recent work has focused on technology-mediated dispute resolution, examining how online platforms affect participation, satisfaction, and outcomes in family law and small claims contexts.

Professor Shestowsky has collaborated with various institutions including the Resolution Systems Institute (RSI) on practical implementations of dispute resolution programs. Her work combines theoretical insights with real-world applications, providing valuable guidance for courts seeking to improve access to justice through innovative dispute resolution mechanisms.