GODOY - Forensic Toxicologist - Independent Contractor

GODOY - Forensic Toxicologist - Independent Contractor

Forensic Toxicologist - Independent Contractor

Location: Remote. Open to all Western or Southwest US locations.

Position: Independent Contractor, project-based work with variable caseload (5–20 hours per week). No guaranteed hours.

Reports to: Director of Operations/CEO

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Travel: Out-of-state travel, including air travel, is a requirement of this role. Flexibility regarding testimony scheduling is essential.

Engagement type: Independent contractor (reported on IRS Form 1099-NEC). This is not an employment position; no employee benefits are provided.

Compensation: See detailed rate schedule below

About the Company

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.

Job Overview

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.

Essential Functions

• Record Review & Analysis: Review laboratory results, toxicology reports, and medical records related to substance exposure and impairment, along with related discovery materials.
• Report Writing: Prepare comprehensive written reports and expert opinions based on laboratory results and record review.
• Expert Testimony: Provide expert testimony at depositions, trials, and other legal proceedings via telephone, video conference, or in-person appearance.
• Case Consultation: Collaborate with attorneys to provide toxicological expertise and strategic insight, including assistance identifying issues for cross-examination.
• Continuing Legal

Education

• Deliver CLE presentations to legal professionals, by webinar or in person, and develop new presentation content when requested and authorized in advance.

• Professional Development: Stay current with scientific literature, research, and developments in forensic toxicology.

• Documentation: Maintain detailed time records and submit accurate invoices in accordance with company procedures.

• Travel: Travel out of state, including by air, for testimony and case-related work, accommodating changes to court schedules with reasonable notice.

• Required Education, Experience and Skills

• Education & Training

• 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.

Experience

• 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.

• Skills & Competencies

• 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.

• Compensation Structure

• Service Type

• Base Rate

• Completion

• Payment

• Effective Total

• Pre-Trial Services

• Document Review, Verbal Report & Report Writing

• $75.00/hour

• $75.00/hour

• $150.00/hour

• Testimony Services

• Half-day flat rate (up to 4 hours)

• $450.00

• $450.00

• $900.00

• Each additional hour

• $85.00/hour

• $85.00/hour

• $170.00/hour

• Telephonic testimony / deposition (hourly)

• $85.00/hour

• $85.00/hour

• $170.00/hour

• Travel time

• $37.50/hour

• $37.50/hour

• $75.00/hour

• Continuing Legal Education**

• Presentation delivery (per presentation)

• $150.00 flat

• N/A

• $150.00

• Development of new content (pre authorized)

• $150.00/hour

• N/A

• $150.00/hour

• Travel time

• $75.00/hour

• N/A

• $75.00/hour

• Travel Expenses

• Airfare, rental car/fuel, transfers, lodging

• Reimbursed at cost

• N/A

• At cost

• Completion Payment: Upon successful closure of the case per the attorney, contractor receives a completion payment equal to 100% of all amounts previously billed and approved by Company (see table above for specific amounts).

• Continuing Legal

Education

• CLE work is not case-based, so no completion payment applies. Presentation materials developed under the Agreement are the sole property of the Company.

• All time is billed in 15-minute increments. Company sets a maximum amount of billable time for each assignment; work beyond that maximum must be authorized in advance.

• Rates are summarized here for your information. Exhibit A of the Independent Contractor Agreement sets out the full compensation terms and governs in the event of any difference.

• Other Job Requirements

• Home Office Requirements

• Dedicated, quiet, and distraction-free working space

• Access to a high-speed internet connection capable of streaming and reviewing video recordings.

• Ability to maintain professional appearance and environment during video conferences and remote testimony.

• Secure storage for sensitive and confidential case materials.

• Availability to accept cases on short notice when needed

• Travel & Availability Requirements

• 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.

Professional Requirements:

• 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.

Physical Demands:

• 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.