Four ways to strengthen your forensic defense

From a single case to building lasting forensic capacity, we have a service model that fits your needs, caseload, and resources.

Case-by-Case Consulting

We review forensic evidence, identify scientific and legal issues, advise on litigation strategy, and support you from pretrial through appeal. We help you understand the evidence, prepare motions, develop witness examinations, and build the forensic dimensions of your case.

What this looks like

  • ✓ Evidence review and scientific analysis across all forensic disciplines
  • ✓ Identification of scientific flaws and litigation opportunities
  • ✓ Motion drafting and litigation strategy for admissibility challenges
  • ✓ Guidance on expert selection, preparation, and examination
  • ✓ Day-to-day support throughout the life of your case

Best for

Defense attorneys and firms handling individual cases with forensic evidence who need specialized expertise on demand.

Pricing

$300/hr public interest rate · $500/hr private rate. Flexibility to accommodate jurisdictional rates and caps. Free initial consultation.

Resource & Co-Counsel

We join your team as forensic resource counsel behind the scenes, or step into court as co-counsel to directly litigate the forensic issues alongside you. We adapt to whatever role your case requires.

What this looks like

  • ✓ Resource counsel: Behind-the-scenes forensic strategy, evidence analysis, and litigation support
  • ✓ Co-counsel: Direct courtroom representation on forensic evidence issues, including admissibility hearings, expert cross-examination, and trial
  • ✓ Seamless integration with your existing defense team
  • ✓ Flexibility to shift between resource and co-counsel roles as the case evolves

Best for

Lead counsel on complex cases (capital cases, high-stakes homicide trials, admissibility hearings) who need a specialized litigator focused on the forensic evidence.

Proven track record

Emily and Joey have each litigated dozens of high-profile complex forensic cases. Emily served as lead counsel on the landmark firearms admissibility hearing in People v. Ross/A.M. in New York and Joey as co-counsel in People v. Winfield in Cook County.

Contract Forensic Practice Group

For offices without an in-house forensic unit, we serve as your embedded forensic practice team. Rather than hiring individual experts case by case, your attorneys get ongoing access to forensic support across your full caseload on a predictable contract basis.

What this looks like

  • ✓ Dedicated forensic team embedded across your office's caseload
  • ✓ Ongoing evidence review, strategy, and litigation support
  • ✓ Training and mentorship for your attorneys on forensic issues
  • ✓ Contracts tailored in duration, services, and cost to your office

Best for

Public defender offices and institutional defenders handling a steady volume of cases with forensic evidence, without the overhead of full-time forensic hires.

Why a contract model

Individual expert witnesses typically charge $2,000–$10,000+ per case. A contract forensic practice group provides more support, more predictable costs, and institutional continuity across your caseload.

In-House Unit Development

Ready to build long-term forensic capacity? We design, develop, and implement custom in-house forensic units tailored to your office's specific needs, caseload, and resources. Emily built the forensic practice infrastructure at The Bronx Defenders and the New York State Defenders Association, and can do the same for your organization.

What this looks like

  • ✓ Needs assessment and caseload analysis
  • ✓ Unit design: staffing, structure, workflows, and resource allocation
  • ✓ Hiring support and staff training
  • ✓ Implementation oversight and ongoing advisory support

Best for

Defender organizations with the funding and institutional commitment to build permanent forensic capacity, especially those with new grants, growing caseloads, or strategic plans to improve representation quality.

No one-size-fits-all

Every office is different. We tailor the unit to your jurisdiction, case types, budget, and existing resources. Not the other way around.

Forensic disciplines we cover

Across the forensic disciplines that matter most in criminal defense, with the litigation experience to turn scientific understanding into courtroom results.

Firearms & Toolmarks, Latent Prints & Other Pattern Matching Evidence

Admissibility challenges and reliability litigation across pattern-based forensic disciplines.

Serology/Biology & DNA

Interpretation, transfer and persistence, and scientific validity issues in biological and DNA evidence.

Surveillance Technology including Facial Recognition, ShotSpotter

Technology-assisted evidence review, reliability challenges, and litigation support.

Pathology

Cause and manner of death analysis, autopsy review, and related clinical testimony.

Forensic Standards, Expert Qualifications, and more. Inquire about additional disciplines and forensic issues

Cross-cutting standards-based challenges and expert qualification litigation across forensic topics.

Not sure which service model fits?

Schedule a free consultation. We'll learn about your case or office, and recommend the approach that makes the most sense for your needs and resources.

Schedule a Free Consultation