William Connor Darby, M.D., is a nationally renowned forensic psychiatrist and leading educator in the field, whose expertise is based on rigorous training at the top academic institutions, extensive knowledge including special neuropsychiatric conditions and the most cutting edge research in psychiatry, evidenced-based evaluations, experience testifying in high-profile cases, and commitment to the highest ethical standards.

He is double board-certified in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. After completing his medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, residency in general psychiatry at UCLA, and fellowship in forensic psychiatry at UCLA, Dr. Darby began teaching medical students, psychiatry residents, and forensic psychiatry fellows at UCLA as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Darby was recognized nationally by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law becoming the youngest winner of the Best Teacher in a Fellowship Program Award. Dr. Darby became the youngest program director at UCLA and youngest forensic fellowship program director in the country when he was named director at UCLA .

Dr. Darby conducts comprehensive forensic evaluations that include rigorous review of relevant records (e.g., medical, employment, education, police records, etc.), assessment of collateral sources of information, independent psychiatric examinations, and medical testing (e.g., labs, brain imaging, etc.) when necessary. His criminal work frequently addresses key issues such as insanity defenses, diminished capacity, diminished actuality, diminished responsibility, mens rea defenses, involuntary intoxication, voluntary intoxication, false confessions, false allegations, white collar crime, various criminal competencies (e.g., to plead, stand trial, testify, etc.), mental health diversion, malingering, mitigating versus aggravating factors at sentencing, and future violence risk assessments. In civil cases, he provides critical insight into claims involving emotional distress, psychological trauma, psychiatric injuries, suicide, psychopharmacology medication complications, wrongful termination, wrongful death, undue influence, testamentary capacity, informed consent, contractual capacity, quality of care, ethics guidelines, professional liability, Tarasoff duty to protect, among others, to educate the trier of fact on psychiatric related issues to promote fair and accurate legal decisions.

As an expert witness, Dr. Darby’s written reports and oral testimony in court are characterized by clear, evidence-based opinions on psychiatric diagnoses and their behavioral impacts, ensuring that judges and juries grasp the complexities of mental health conditions and their nexus to various psycholegal questions. His involvement in high-stakes cases emphasizes his ability to communicate complex psychiatric findings in a manner understandable to the legal community as well as laypersons. His work has had significant influence in cases where mental health related issues play a pivotal role in determining both criminal liability and civil damages.

In addition to his legal work, Dr. Darby is an educator and leader, serving as Director of the UCLA Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program. His contributions to the academic field include training the next generation of forensic psychiatrists while authoring original scholarly works and conducting ongoing research projects. Dr. Darby collaborates with other forensic leaders around the country through his involvement in national forensic and psychiatric organizations such as the American Academy of Law and Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American College of Psychiatrists. He advises and mentors physicians from other specialties, such as neurology, on forensic practice. His broad range of experience with both clinical psychiatric treatment and forensic psychiatry which spans workplace disputes, criminal responsibility, and civil matters, makes him a trusted figure in legal, medical, and academic communities.

Education and Training
Bachelor of Arts: Swarthmore College with special major in Psychobiology
Medical Degree: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Residency: Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Fellowship: Forensic Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Certifications
Double Board Certified in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry

Honors and Awards
Rappeport Fellowship, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL), 2016
Laughlin Fellowship, American College of Psychiatrists (ACP), 2017
UCLA Outstanding Teaching Award, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, 2017
Howard Zonana Award for Best Teacher in a Forensic Fellowship Program, AAPL, 2019
Recipient of Three Shirley Hatos Prizes for outstanding writings, UCLA

Leadership and Professional Activities
Director, UCLA Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program
Chair of Bioethics Committee, California Department of State Hospitals
Health Sciences Clinical Assistant Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Member, Council on Psychiatry and the Law, American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Past Councilor, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL)
Past Chair of Ethics Committee, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL)
Past Chair of Disruptive Behavior Committee, Greater Los Angeles VA
Past President, American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry (ASAP)
Elected Fellow to APA, American Psychological Association (APA)

Publications and Presentations
Numerous research publications including editing a forensic ethics book
Multiple first-author peer-reviewed research papers and textbook chapters
Hundreds of lectures and seminars
Reviewer for top forensic psychiatry journals