Areas of Practice — Dr. David Lombard

Areas of Practice

Competency & Sanity Evaluations — Adult & Juvenile

Dr. Lombard conducts competency-to-stand-trial and sanity (criminal responsibility) evaluations for adult and juvenile courts. Competency evaluations assess whether a defendant has a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings and the capacity to assist in their own defense, consistent with the standard set in Dusky v. United States. Sanity evaluations examine a defendant's mental state at the time of the alleged offense under the legal standard applicable in the relevant jurisdiction. Juvenile evaluations account for developmental factors specific to adolescent reasoning and maturity. Each evaluation integrates clinical interview, record review, and, where indicated, psychological testing into a report the court can rely on.

Child Custody & Parenting Fitness Evaluations

Comprehensive evaluations addressing parenting time, decision-making authority, and the best interests of the child, for family courts and the attorneys representing parties before them. Evaluations follow the APA Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Family Law Proceedings and the AFCC Guidelines for Parenting Plan Evaluations , drawing on clinical interviews, direct observation, collateral contacts, and record review to produce findings that are transparent about their basis.

Expert Case Consultation & Report Review

For attorneys who need a second opinion, Dr. Lombard reviews the methodology, data sources, and conclusions of another evaluator's forensic report, consistent with the APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology. This work supports case preparation, deposition and cross-examination strategy, and evaluation of whether a report's conclusions are adequately supported by its underlying data — without Dr. Lombard serving as a treating clinician to any party.

International Adoption Evaluations

Evaluations supporting international and intercountry adoption, including pre-adoption assessments of prospective adoptive parents and post-adoption evaluations addressing attachment, developmental history, and adjustment needs of internationally adopted children. Evaluations account for the standards set under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption where applicable, and are tailored to the specific requirements of the receiving court, adoption agency, or government agency involved.

Fitness for Duty Assessments

Evaluations of whether an employee — often in law enforcement, public safety, or other high-responsibility roles — is psychologically fit to safely perform the essential functions of their position. These evaluations follow guidance from bodies such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Psychological Fitness-for-Duty Evaluation Guidelines, and are conducted at the request of an employer, agency, or referring attorney rather than as treatment for the employee.

Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs)

Objective psychological evaluations conducted at the request of an employer, insurer, or attorney — rather than a treating clinician — to inform workers' compensation, disability, or personal injury claims. An IME provides an impartial clinical assessment of an individual's psychological functioning and its relationship to the claim at issue, distinct from any treatment relationship, and is documented in a report suitable for use in administrative or legal proceedings.

Immigration Waiver Evaluations

Dangerousness Assessments

Psychological evaluations supporting immigration waiver applications, including I-601 and I-601A extreme hardship waivers, documenting the emotional, psychological, and functional impact that separation or relocation would have on a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relative. Reports are structured to address the criteria USCIS considers under the "totality of the circumstances" standard, in coordination with the applicant's immigration attorney.

Structured evaluations of an individual's risk for future violence, used in criminal justice, civil commitment, workplace, and family law contexts. These assessments integrate validated, evidence-based instruments — such as the HCR-20 structured professional judgment framework — with clinical interview and collateral information, rather than relying on clinical impression alone. Findings are presented with clear reasoning about the factors driving the risk estimate and any recommended management or mitigation measures.

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