Nina M. French

Industry Expert in Impairment, Drug & Alcohol Testing, Workplace Safety, DOT / Non-DOT Policy, Cannabis Testing, and Regulatory Compliance

Nina M. French is a nationally recognized authority in drug and alcohol testing, workplace safety, impairment assessment, and regulatory compliance. Nina brings more than 30 years of specialized industry leadership to her role as a Drug & Alcohol Testing Expert with Capwell Consulting Group. Nina leads our drug testing and impairment litigation and expert witness services division.

Her experience spans every major component of workplace substance use testing—including specimen collection protocols, chain of custody, toxicology interpretation, impairment technologies, cannabis testing, and interpreting and applying DOT (49 CFR Part 40 and modal regulations), SAMHSA, and state non-DOT laws to policy development governing reasonable suspicion, post-accident, fitness-for-duty, roadside enforcement, and return-to-duty decision-making. She provides clear, defensible guidance rooted in scientific, technical, and regulatory understanding, supporting attorneys, employers, and agencies in matters involving compliance, defensibility, and workplace risk.

Ms. French is widely regarded for her ability to translate complex operational and scientific issues into accessible, court-ready explanations. She has worked extensively with laboratories, employers, device manufacturers, and policymakers, giving her a uniquely comprehensive view of testing standards, best practices, and industry expectations.

Publications & Thought Leadership

Ms. French is widely published in leading industry journals including Background Buzz, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S), Safety + Health, PBSA Journal, and DATIA Focus. Her writing covers cannabis legalization, drug testing in the workplace, impairment science, regulatory modernization, and emerging testing technologies.

She is a frequent speaker and panelist at national conferences including SAPAA, PBSA, SHRM, DATIA, and NSC, where she discusses defensible testing practices, risk mitigation, safety-sensitive workforce management, and the future of drug and alcohol testing.

Areas of Expertise

Her expertise spans the full spectrum of workplace drug and alcohol testing, including chain-of-custody and collection processes, toxicology and laboratory result interpretation, and the defensibility of testing technologies and devices. She advises on DOT, SAMHSA, ADA, and state regulatory requirements, and supports employers with post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing, safety-sensitive job analysis, and impairment and cognitive testing solutions. Her work also covers employer duty of care, workplace risk mitigation, and adherence to industry best practices and accreditation standards, alongside litigation support and expert witness services.