GODOY - Forensic Toxicologist - Independent Contractor

Godoy Medical Forensics, Inc. is a rapidly growing legal consulting company that provides medical expert witness services to attorneys, primarily in criminal cases. Founded in 2009, we have evolved into a prominent consulting firm with a diverse team of experts, including physicians, toxicologists, forensic interviewers, and Registered Nurses (RNs). We offer expert opinions in numerous forensic areas, including sexual assault, child abuse, gunshot wounds, assault, DUI, and homicide cases. We are retained by both the prosecution and the defense, with a significant portion of our cases coming from defense attorneys. Join us as we continue to expand our influence in the field of forensic medicine and expert consultation.

We are seeking an experienced forensic toxicologist to provide expert scientific consultation and testimony services as an independent contractor. This unique opportunity allows you to expand your professional expertise into the fascinating world of forensic science and legal consultation, where your
specialized knowledge becomes crucial to the pursuit of justice.

This role offers the chance to apply your toxicology expertise in high-stakes criminal and civil legal cases where you'll analyze complex scenarios involving drug impairment, poisoning cases, DUI prosecutions, exposure incidents, and other forensic situations that require specialized scientific interpretation.

The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical thinking skills and can think critically when examining how substances interact with the human body under various circumstances. You'll need to consider factors such as metabolism rates, drug interactions, timing of exposure, and individual physiological
variations, while being able to explain complex toxicological concepts in clear, understandable terms that help juries grasp the scientific evidence and how it relates to the specific elements of each case.

In this role, you will review laboratory results and medical records, provide expert scientific opinions, and testify in legal proceedings related to substance exposure, impairment, and toxicological evidence. You'll work with both prosecution and defense attorneys, ensuring objective scientific analysis that serves the pursuit of justice while maintaining the highest standards of forensic toxicology practice.

In addition to case work, you will have the opportunity to share your expertise through Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentations, delivered as webinars or in-person sessions, aimed at educating legal professionals on forensic toxicology and the interpretation of laboratory evidence. This role offers a flexible part-time consultancy arrangement, allowing you to balance other commitments.

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related scientific field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Board certification in forensic toxicology (F-ABFT / DABFT) or active candidacy preferred.
• Maintenance of appropriate certifications and continuing education requirements.
  

• Minimum of 5 years of laboratory experience in testing blood and other bodily fluids.
• Experience with immunoassay screening and confirmatory analysis by LC-MS/MS or GC-MS, including quantitative method validation.
• Forensic or criminalistics laboratory background preferred.
• Prior experience testifying in court strongly preferred.
• Previous expert witness or forensic consultation experience preferred.
• Experience developing or delivering training or CLE presentations preferred.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to explain complex toxicology concepts in layman's terms
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict objectivity and to render opinions for either the prosecution or the defense.
• Confidence articulating and defending an evidence-based opinion under cross-examination.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Professional demeanor and appearance for testimony.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines without oversight.
• Proficiency with electronic case files and computer systems.

Document Review, Verbal Report & Report Writing

$75.00/hour

$75.00/hour

Travel time

$75.00/hour

N/A

Half-day flat rate (up to 4 hours)

$450.00

$450.00

Each additional hour

$85.00/hour

$85.00/hour

Telephonic testimony / deposition (hourly)

$85.00/hour

$85.00/hour

Travel time

$37.50/hour

$37.50/hour

Presentation delivery (per presentation)

$150.00 flat

N/A

Development of new content (pre authorized)

$150.00/hour

N/A

Airfare, rental car/fuel, transfers, lodging

Reimbursed at cost

N/A

• Ability and willingness to travel out of state, including by air, for testimony and case-related work.
• Availability to travel with reasonable notice. While our office staff makes every effort to provide advance notice, court calendars change frequently and travel may be confirmed or rescheduled on short notice.
• Flexibility regarding testimony scheduling is essential. Trial dates are routinely continued, advanced, or cancelled by the court or the client. Clients are permitted to reschedule a confirmed testimony date up to 5 business days from the originally requested date.
• Willingness to hold and protect scheduled testimony dates on your calendar, and to remain available throughout an assigned trial window.
• Ability to be away overnight, and for more than one day where a trial requires it.
• A valid driver’s license, required for driving on company business, together with identification meeting current TSA requirements for domestic air travel — either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a valid passport.
• Personal automobile liability insurance in effect, as driving may be required for company purposes, including travel to courthouses, airports, and other case-related destinations. Proof of license and insurance must be furnished upon request.
• Travel is booked through our office staff whenever possible. Travel time and travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the rate schedule above. A cancellation payment applies when in person testimony is cancelled or rescheduled on short notice; remote testimony is not eligible.

• Maintain current professional liability insurance — specifically errors and omissions (E&O) coverage for professional consulting services. This is not clinical malpractice insurance, and coverage provided by your primary employer generally will not satisfy this requirement, as most employer policies exclude outside independent consulting work.
• Comply with all confidentiality and non-disclosure requirements.
• Maintain professional standards and ethical conduct.

Sitting/Standing/Walking: Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods while reviewing recorded interviews, and stand or walk during court appearances.

Speaking/Hearing: Ability to effectively communicate with clients, attorneys, and colleagues via phone, video conference, and in-person meetings, and to accurately hear and interpret recorded audio.

Vision: Must be able to see details on computer screens, read printed materials, and observe non-verbal behavior on video recordings.
Manual Dexterity: Ability to operate a computer and video review software for extended periods.

What We Offer

• Marketing Support: We promote your expertise to potential clients and help showcase your qualifications to expand your professional network.
• Administrative Support: Our team handles all billing, funding, and paperwork coordination. We serve as the primary contact for clients regarding contracts, discovery, and administrative matters, allowing you to focus on your area of expertise.
• Streamlined Payment Processing: We offer secure direct deposit payments through Melio, a trusted online platform, for convenient and timely compensation.
• Completion Payment: A completion payment equal to 100% of all previously billed and approved amounts upon successful closure of the case, effectively doubling your compensation.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning and growth in forensic consultation through exposure to diverse and challenging cases.
• Speaking Platform: A paid platform to deliver CLE presentations to attorneys, building your professional profile in the legal community.
• Expert Network: Access to collaborate with a network of medical and forensic professionals across multiple specialties.
• Cancellation Payment: Cancellation payment provided if testimony is cancelled within 10 business days of the scheduled date. Remote testimony is not eligible for cancellation payment.
• Case Variety: Exposure to diverse and interesting cases across multiple legal areas.

Godoy Medical Forensics, Inc. welcomes qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.