Diminished Capacity? Part Two: Assessing Expert Testimony on Cognitive Impairmen

David W. Trader, M.D. is one of California’s leading integrative general and geriatric psychiatrists. He received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his medical degree from Duke University. Dr. Trader completed his psychiatric residency and geriatric fellowship at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. He is board-certified in general psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry.

Dr. Trader has a private practice in integrative adult and geriatric psychiatry. He was formerly on the faculty at UCLA, Medical Director of Geriatric Psychiatry Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Trader is an expert on legal mental capacity. He has lectured nationwide and testified in well over a hundred trials involving mental capacity and undue influence.

Dr. Mourra is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult Psychiatry with additional specialization in Geriatric Psychiatry. She obtained residency training at Yale where she served as Chief Resident. She completed fellowship training in Geriatric Psychiatry at UCLA, where she also received training in ECT and was selected as a Bureau of Health Professions Fellow in geriatric psychiatry. She is currently a Health Sciences Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine where she teaches and supervises UCLA residents and fellows. Dr. Mourra has an interest in integrating psychotherapy and medication to assist patients in their recovery, and is trained in psychotherapy as well as pharmacologic management. Dr. Mourra also maintains a practice in geriatric forensic psychiatry wherein she provides evaluations, record review and expert testimony related to contractual and testamentary capacity, susceptibility to undue influence, probate conservatorships, elder abuse and other areas related to older adults.

HON. DAVID J. COWAN has been assigned for the last three years to hear long-cause Probate and Civil trials, and since September 2025, exclusively long-cause Probate trials.

Previously, Supervising Judge of the Civil Division. Responsible for operation of over one hundred fifty courtrooms, assignment of trials around the County, among other duties pertaining to managing Civil, including the PI Hub, I/C courtrooms, UD courts, as well as the Complex Program. Previously, Assistant Supervising Judge of Civil and assigned to an I/C courtroom at the Mosk Courthouse.

Earlier, Supervising Judge of the Probate and Mental Health Depts. Initially, handled a calendar of decedent estates, trusts, conservatorship and guardianship cases. Thereafter, focused on long cause or complex trials and settlement conferences.

Former member of the Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee to the Judicial Council of California, as well as Vice-Chair of the Probate Law Committee of the Calif. Judges Ass’n.

Appointed a Judge by Governor Jerry Brown in 2014. Previously served as a Court Commissioner — for much of that time in a Family Law calendar at the Santa Monica Courthouse.

Before going on the bench in 2005, practiced business and real estate litigation for seventeen years. Initially, at Rogers & Wells, now known as Clifford Chance. Later, he had his own office.

Graduate of Univ. of Calif., Hastings College of the Law and Columbia University.

Previously, Adjunct Lecturer at UCLA School of Law and at Loyola Law School on various subjects, including Wills and Trusts.

Recipient of the Ronald M. George Award for Judicial Excellence from the Litigation Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Ass’n and of the Timothy A. Whitehouse Award from the Trusts and Estates Section of the BHBA.