David Freeman Engstrom

David Freeman Engstrom is the LSVF Professor in Law and Co-Director of the Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession at Stanford University. He specializes in civil procedure, administrative law, legal technology, and access to justice. His work addresses high-volume civil adjudication, AI in government, and transparency in litigation. Engstrom collaborates with institutions like the American Law Institute and the Los Angeles Superior Court to reform legal systems.

His research explores technology’s role in civil justice, including legal tech tools for unrepresented litigants and court digitization. He co-founded the Filing Fairness Project to simplify court filing systems. Engstrom also examines AI-driven governance, publishing influential reports on federal agencies’ use of algorithms.

Engstrom’s empirical studies on secret settlements and protective orders aim to enhance litigation transparency. He teaches courses on legal design and policy, and his work has been cited in numerous court decisions. His upcoming book, Rethinking the Lawyer’s Monopoly, critiques legal service monopolies and proposes reforms to expand access to justice.