Neuroscience plays a critical role in competency determinations in both criminal and civil cases. Is an individual competent to stand trial, enter a plea, sign a contract, execute a will, regain the ability to work, or take the witness stand? Such issues cannot usually be resolved by common sense and cross examination alone. Attorney and forensic psychologist Eric Drogin, Chair of the Behavioral and Neuroscience Law Committee of the ABA Section of Science & Technology Law, identifies situations in the law in which neuroscience and competency issues most frequently arise, outline the best methods for identifying and retaining the most qualified and persuasive experts for resolving those issues, and describe how counsel can navigate admissibility concerns regarding new and sometimes controversial neuroimaging techniques.Forensic psychologist Dr. Stephen Golding, who specializes in competency evaluations in research describes what attorneys most urgently need to know about what neuroscience can tell us about competency. He will review the range of factors that can affect competency (including memory loss, neurological disease, brain injury, and learning disabilities), explain how mental competency is assessed, reported, and treated in civil and criminal contexts, and discuss how the latest neuroscientific procedures can help counsel to determine both the severity of current deficits and the potential for restoring competency. Moderator: Stuart Zola Speakers: Eric Y. Drogin, J.D., Ph.D. and Stephen Golding, Ph.D.