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Overview
David Engstrom, a former Major in the Army JAG Corps, brings eight years of distinguished leadership service and extensive high-stakes legal experience in advisory, regulatory, and litigation roles. David is a member of the Adams & Reese Intersection of Business & Government Practice and Counsel in the firm's Nashville office.
David served as the Brigade Judge Advocate for the 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served as legal advisor (essentially in-house counsel) to the Brigade Commander and advised 39 subordinate command teams on Army investigations, contract and fiscal law, criminal law, regulatory compliance, federal tort law, labor and employment, national security law, and other legal issues, including crisis management. The Brigade Commander recognized David as a top Captain on his brigade staff.
David’s military service has instilled in him a strong sense of leadership and adaptability that he carries over to Adams & Reese. He led and managed a legal office, oversaw a wide range of legal matters, and ensured the effective delivery of legal services. The Army’s emphasis on leadership – “You’re a soldier first, and you’re a lawyer always” – is reflected in David’s approach to his legal practice, being adept at quickly mastering new areas of law and providing principled, astute counsel in high-stakes environments. David offers clients a rare combination of advisory experience, trial readiness, and a deep understanding of the legal complexities facing organizations that operate in regulated environments or interact with government entities.
Regulatory Compliance, Litigation, & Criminal Law
A critical component of David’s advisory role was navigating regulatory compliance with vast federal requirements, advising on compliance with U.S. Army regulations, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and federal statutes. He also brings experience in financial management regulations relevant to organizations funded through Congress and compliance with federal government contracting rules, and he understands the multi-step process of identifying applicable rules, incorporating them into operations, and verifying compliance, which is directly translatable to clients dealing with government contracts within highly regulated industries.
David’s career is distinguished by significant trial and litigation experience. As a Military Justice Advisor, David gained experience in criminal law, prosecuting ten Federal Courts-Martial, including several high-profile cases. He conducted depositions, examined witnesses, utilized expert testimony, and argued motions and sentencing hearings. This early development of trial and litigation skills reflects his desire – and the firm’s philosophy – to be litigators who are ready to go to trial when necessary for clients.
David’s experience also encompassed labor and employment law as he served as the sole legal representative for federal L&E issues across four Army installations, comprising the largest U.S. Army Garrison in Europe. He represented the U.S. Army before Administrative Law Judges in Merit Systems Protection Board and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, achieving favorable outcomes, such as summary judgment in EEO cases.
David earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was senior articles editor for the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. He received his B.A. in Political Science from The George Washington University.
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Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D. | 2017
- George Washington University, cum laude, B.A. | 2013
Bar Admissions
- Virginia
Related Services
Affiliations
- Eagle Scout, since 2008
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D. | 2017
- George Washington University, cum laude, B.A. | 2013
Bar Admissions
- Virginia