FAQs

Pharmacology is the study of how chemical agents, both natural and synthetic (e.g., drugs or alcohol), affect an individual's biological systems. Some describe Pharmacology as a "bridge science" because it incorporates knowledge and skills from a number of basic sciences including physiology, biochemistry, and cellular and molecular biology, A pharmacologist typically has a Ph.D. in pharmacology, a Pharm. D., or an M.D. Pharmacology students may have performed research and/or had clinical experiences. As a research-trained scientist, I have published approximately 90 articles, monographs, and book chapters, 72 of which were in peer-reviewed journals.

Toxicology is a branch of science that is concerned with the nature, effects, and detection of poisons. It may involve measuring and analyzing potential toxins, intoxicating or banned substances, or prescription medications that may be present in the body. When illegal (or legal) drugs or prescribed medications exceed a therapeutic level, toxicity, or even death, may occur. Toxicologists most often have a Ph.D. or M.D. degree in biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, toxicology, or related biological sciences. 

While representing a client, you may learn that one or more of the parties involved used prescription medication, alcohol, or other drugs. Though some of these substances may be "legal" (for example medical or recreational marijuana, alcohol, or prescription medication, they may still cause impairment. Other drugs, such as methamphetamine, heroin, bath salts, cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy, LSD, inhalants, and ketamine, may cause people to behave erratically or even violently. In criminal cases, prosecutors might not consider a victim's drug use when filing criminal charges against a defendant. Defendants in personal injury cases may want to know whether the plaintiff was using drugs or alcohol that may have contributed to an accident or injury. These determinations require an analysis of laboratory reports, blood, urine, or hair tests, and many other factors that are unique to a particular case. An attorney may be left only with a medical examiner's conclusions or other medical or laboratory results that do not necessarily take into consideration all of the factors an expert may consider that come to play when drugs or alcohol are involved.

Yes, I work with attorneys and have testified outside the State of Arizona. If I have to travel outside of Arizona, I charge for my time as I'm traveling and expect reimbursement for all travel expenses, including airline or train tickets, meals, and hotels, and a rental car if I am not driving my own automobile. 

When I am working with a private attorney, i.e., someone who is being paid directly by his or her client and not working as a public defender (or equivalent) or prosecutor, I require a retainer equal to one-half of the estimated number of hours needed for an initial assessment of a case. I will bill you at the rate of $350/hour for services and expenses against the retainer until such time as I exhaust the retainer. You may not identify me as either a testifying or non-testifying expert until I receive your retainer. In the event I exhaust the initial retainer, I have the discretion to require additional funds in advance of expending more time on this matter in the same manner as set forth above.

If our initial estimate is insufficient for me to complete the agreed-upon work, I will advise you and you must seek approvals, if necessary, for me to continue to provide services. I will not assume the risk of exceeding the number of approved hours as a result of being subpoenaed as a witness or requested to conduct an interview with another party. The client must agree that I will be compensated for any compelled testimony or interviews, irrespective of the number of hours we may have estimated it would take to perform services under our agreement.

​I accept telephone or email inquiries to assess whether I can be of service to a client but will not give a free consultation based on a client scenario. Without documents, which I will need to review before rendering an opinion, I will not provide an "off the cuff" assessment of a particular case. If I do not believe I can assist or believe that another type of professional may be better suited to the task, I will give that information at the time I initially speak with a potential client.

Typically, I will review police reports, medical, pharmacology and toxicology records, lab findings, and trial or deposition transcripts, supply written reports, and provide trial or deposition testimony regarding my findings and opinions about the effects of drugs or alcohol on the behavior or physical effects of drugs an individual may have taken.

No, I do not charge on a contingency. I will provide consulting services to a client as an independent professional and the client will be responsible to pay my fees and reimburse me for my costs. I do not perform services as an expert for your client or any third party, as my independence requires me to work only for another professional rendering services as such. Therefore, I will not accept payment from your client or any third party. Your obligation to pay me for my services is not dependent upon my findings, nor on the outcome of any legal action, criminal or civil, mediation, arbitration, or the amount or terms of any settlement of the underlying legal cause, nor on any contractual arrangement between you and any other person or party, including your client.

My new clients beginning July 1, 2023, my billing rate is $375 per hour, plus expenses, including reimbursement for meals, hotels, airline/train tickets, and car rental at the actual rate. All of my rates and fees are set forth in the engagement letter I will prepare should we reach an agreement.