Melisa Mazal Sabah
Senior Paralegal Contracts & Regulatory Compliance Strategist | SaaS & Life Sciences Legal Ops | Multilingual IP & Governance Expert
Summary
10+ years of legal contracting experience across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical research, SaaS, and high-tech sectors. Recognized for driving clarity, regulatory integrity, and operational excellence in fast-paced, cross-functional matrixed organizations. Led high-stakes sponsor-side negotiations with global pharma leaders (Pfizer, Teva, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson) during the COVID-19 pandemic, executing critical clinical trial agreements under tight deadlines and heightened regulatory scrutiny. Ensured each contract aligned with ICH-GCP guidelines, data privacy laws, and jurisdiction-specific requirements. Expert in contract drafting & negotiation – adept at managing the full contract lifecycle for Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs), Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs/NDAs), investigator site contracts, SaaS and licensing agreements, and data protection addenda. Deep knowledge of global compliance frameworks (ICH-GCP, FDA regulations, internal SOPs) and data privacy standards (GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 9001), with a strong compliance mindset across US, EU, Canadian, and Israeli regulatory landscapes. Remote-ready and globally adaptable – successfully managed high-volume contract workflows since 2019 across international time zones (delivering results from Israel, Canada, and the US). Maintains sharp responsiveness, cross-functional coordination, and relationship management with sponsors, investigator sites, and internal stakeholders regardless of location. Thrives in fast-paced, matrixed environments with a self-driven work ethic. Multilingual communicator (English, French, Hebrew) – fluency in three languages facilitates seamless collaboration and negotiation across diverse teams and regions. Leverages cross-cultural communication skills to bridge legal and business stakeholders. Trusted legal operator known for integrity, precision, and strategic insight. Delivers proactive risk mitigation, innovative negotiation strategies, and legal leadership that foster innovation, ensure compliance, and drive growth.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Senior Paralegal – SaaS & Higher Ed Tech
Anthology, Inc.(BlackBoard BV)
Boca Raton (Remote), FL
07.2024 - Current
- Managed and executed a high-volume portfolio of 1,200+ contracts per year, including SaaS agreements, Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Data Processing Addenda (DPAs), licensing terms, and AI governance frameworks, supporting enterprise and public-sector clients across 12+ jurisdictions.
- Drafted, redlined, and negotiated complex agreements with precision, ensuring alignment with global regulatory standards and Anthology’s internal risk frameworks.
- Acted as the primary legal liaison between U.S. corporate legal, procurement, and sales teams, streamlining communication and driving contract standardization.
- Implemented and optimized legal tech tools (Salesforce, DocuSign, AI contract review platforms), reducing average contract turnaround time by 35%.
- Supported post-merger integration by reviewing and reconciling 40+ legacy contracts with Anthology’s legal and operational standards.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Security) to assess and mitigate legal risks related to AI ethics, data usage, and third-party integrations.
- Contributed to over $5M in awarded contract value through strategic support in RFP/RFQ negotiations and advanced redlining preparation.
- Led global compliance initiatives (GDPR, CCPA, FERPA, and institutional procurement policies), enhancing legal defensibility and operational trust.
- Mentored junior legal team members and developed internal playbooks, strengthening redlining protocols and cross-team alignment.
- Provided expert guidance during contract disputes resolution processes, fostering positive relationships between parties involved.
- Reduced contract approval times by conducting thorough reviews and promptly addressing any discrepancies or concerns.
- Optimized existing contracts through renegotiation efforts based on market changes or shifting business priorities.
Contracts Specialist | Gaming, IP & Compliance
Keywords International Ltd.
London (Remote), UK
08.2021 - 06.2024
- Managed a diverse portfolio of IP licensing, SaaS, data privacy, and vendor agreements across EMEA, APAC, and North America in the gaming and localization industry.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated contracts to ensure intellectual property protection, data privacy compliance (GDPR, CCPA), and alignment with international commercial standards.
- Oversaw contract workflows across 6+ global departments (Legal, Procurement, Engineering, Localization, Finance, Sales), providing efficient stakeholder support and coordination.
- Applied advanced risk mitigation strategies during contract reviews, identifying inconsistencies, limiting liability exposure, and ensuring adherence to internal policies and external regulations.
- Managed full contract lifecycles — from intake and redlining to execution and renewals — while tracking deadlines and obligations using Salesforce, SharePoint, and DocuSign.
- Collaborated closely with internal legal teams, vendors, and cross-functional partners to negotiate favorable terms and swiftly resolve escalations.
- Led IP portfolio alignment and brand protection for newly acquired subsidiaries, including the registration of trademarks and product logos across multiple jurisdictions as part of post-acquisition integrations.
- Provided translation support for commercial contracts and legal documentation (English ↔ French), ensuring consistency and compliance across multilingual markets.
- Introduced structured document management and template standardization to reduce versioning errors, improve efficiency, and ensure audit readiness.
- Streamlined internal contract management processes by implementing a centralized database for tracking and monitoring contractual agreements.
Senior Paralegal - Pharma Compliance
GVE Global Vision Inc.
Montreal, QC, Canada
01.2020 - 08.2021
- Served as the sole legal professional during the peak of COVID-19, independently leading complex negotiations with senior legal counsel at Pfizer, Teva, GlaxoSmithKline, and Johnson & Johnson. Executed high-priority agreements under tight timelines and elevated regulatory sensitivity for mission-critical clinical programs.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated a wide range of agreements, including Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs), investigator site contracts, and confidentiality agreements (CDAs/NDAs), as well as vendor contracts, software licensing, and data privacy documents. Ensured each contract complied with FDA regulations, ICH-GCP guidelines, GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 9001 standards.
- Managed corporate governance for multiple entities: maintained minute books, filed corporate registrations (CIDREQ), and coordinated U.S. patent documentation with external counsel.
- Conducted legal research to support decisions on clinical trial compliance, data privacy law, and intellectual property strategy, bolstering internal policies and risk assessments.
- Contributed to ISO 9001:2015 compliance and audits (including CAPA reports and regulatory documentation) alongside the Compliance Manager, strengthening quality systems.
- Oversaw trademark renewals, domain management, and IP asset tracking; provided cross-functional support to Sales, Procurement, HR, and Finance on contractual and policy matters.
- Designed and implemented a structured contract intake and approval process, improving turnaround efficiency and accuracy during a period of rapid operational change.
- Streamlined the process of obtaining critical information from opposing counsel through effective negotiation techniques.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legal developments by participating in continuing education programs and industry events.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams for effective case management and resolution.
- Increased accuracy of legal documents by implementing rigorous proofreading and editing procedures.
- Managed all incoming correspondence from judges, court administrative staff and opposing parties.
- Managed complex legal projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
- Enhanced case efficiency by streamlining legal research and document management processes.
- Conducted thorough due diligence investigations to facilitate informed decision-making in high-stakes cases.
- Trained new employees on company policies and legal standards.
- Reviewed contracts for accuracy and consistency, mitigating potential risks for clients involved in transactions or disputes.
- Mentored junior paralegals, contributing to their professional development and growth.
- Cultivated a strong network of industry professionals that facilitated collaboration on various cases and projects.
Paralegal (Litigation & Corporate Practice)
Kugler Kandestin LLP
Montreal, QC, Canada
04.2018 - 01.2020
- Supported 6 senior attorneys in complex litigation and corporate cases involving civil liability, commercial disputes, and medical malpractice.
- Attended court proceedings (including remise sine die hearings) and conducted on-site legal research at courthouses to assist in case preparation and motion filing.
- Drafted pleadings, affidavits, legal correspondence, and court forms for ongoing litigation matters.
- Maintained corporate records and minute books; filed incorporations and amendments (CIDREQ) and prepared shareholder resolutions to uphold corporate compliance.
- Researched statutes, case law, and doctrine (using Westlaw, CANLII, SOQUIJ) to support litigation strategy and risk analysis.
- Coordinated discovery processes, compiled evidence summaries, and ensured adherence to procedural timelines and court filing requirements.
- Assisted in arbitration and administrative hearings, organizing case materials and ensuring all submissions were accurate and timely.
Paralegal (Term Contract )
LPC Avocats Inc.
Montreal, QC, Canada
06.2016 - 04.2018
- Contributed to class action litigation, including a high-profile case invoking the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on behalf of a government client.
- Conducted legal research on constitutional claims, employee rights, and cross-border employment law (Canada & U.S.).
- Reviewed and edited legal procedures, argumentation plans, and case strategies in coordination with senior counsel.
- Assisted in drafting settlement agreements and negotiating severance packages, including early termination contracts for U.S.-based employees.
- Reviewed non-disclosure agreements and helped build internal knowledge of U.S. and Canadian employment compensation frameworks.
- Provided broad litigation support across multiple files, including case management, procedural support, and client communications alongside lead counsel.
- Assisted in preparation of settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
- Assisted attorneys with trial preparation through thorough research and analysis of relevant laws and regulations.
- Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
- Reduced attorney workload by drafting routine legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
Paralegal
Pateras & Iezzoni Inc.
Montreal, QC, Canada
08.2015 - 12.2017
- Drafted a wide range of legal documents, including contracts, formal notices, writs of execution, mandates, powers of attorney, and annual corporate resolutions.
- Maintained and updated corporate minute books for multiple entities, supporting new incorporations, shareholder changes, and ongoing compliance requirements.
- Conducted in-depth legal research of statutes, jurisprudence, and court records to support case development, due diligence, and motion drafting.
- Assisted up to four attorneys concurrently, managing court filings, submissions, and deadlines across civil, commercial, family, and criminal law matters.
- Liaised with clients regarding case progress and document needs, handling sensitive information with the utmost discretion.
- Coordinated attorney calendars and litigation timelines, scheduling court appearances, case briefings, and procedural deadlines.
- Transcribed legal dictations and analyzed audio/video evidence to support hearings and negotiation preparation.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Contributed to firm-client relationship building through professional interactions with clients during meetings or phone calls, conveying empathy while maintaining confidentiality.
- Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
- Reduced attorney workload by drafting routine legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
Education
Certificate in Legal Research & Notarial Procedures - Law & Research
Lafortune Formation
Montreal, QC 01.2011 - 01.2012
LL.B., Civil Law - Civil Law
Université De Montréal (UdeM)
Montreal, QC 09.2008 - 05.2011
Attestation of College Studies (AEC) - Paralegal Technology (JCA.1F)
CDI College
Montreal, QC 01.2006 - 05.2007
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) - Major in Finance
John Molson School of Business
Montreal, QC 09.2002 - 05.2005
Diploma of College Studies (DCS/DEC) - Social Science, Law, Society & Justice Profile
Vanier College
Montreal, QC 09.2000 - 06.2002
Certifications -
Certification & Legal Training
Montreal, QC 01.2019 - 12.2021
Skills
🧩 Core Competencies & Specialized Skills Contract Strategy & Legal Operations Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM): Drafting, redlining, and executing SaaS, CTA, NDA, licensing & privacy agreements Complex Negotiations: Independent leadership of high-value negotiations (Pfizer, Teva, GSK, etc) under pressure Clinical Trial Contracting (IQVIA-ready): Site agreements, investigator grants, proposal terms, payment language, and multi-country compliance alignment Regulatory Compliance: GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 9001, ICH-GCP, FDA, SOX, and QMS standards M&A Contract Integration: Due diligence, subsidiary compliance, and legacy agreement harmonization
undefinedTimeline
Senior Paralegal – SaaS & Higher Ed Tech
Anthology, Inc.(BlackBoard BV)
07.2024 - Current
Contracts Specialist | Gaming, IP & Compliance
Keywords International Ltd.
08.2021 - 06.2024
Senior Paralegal - Pharma Compliance
GVE Global Vision Inc.
01.2020 - 08.2021
Certifications -
Certification & Legal Training
01.2019 - 12.2021
Paralegal (Litigation & Corporate Practice)
Kugler Kandestin LLP
04.2018 - 01.2020
Paralegal (Term Contract )
LPC Avocats Inc.
06.2016 - 04.2018
Paralegal
Pateras & Iezzoni Inc.
08.2015 - 12.2017
Certificate in Legal Research & Notarial Procedures - Law & Research
Lafortune Formation
01.2011 - 01.2012
LL.B., Civil Law - Civil Law
Université De Montréal (UdeM)
09.2008 - 05.2011
Attestation of College Studies (AEC) - Paralegal Technology (JCA.1F)
CDI College
01.2006 - 05.2007
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) - Major in Finance
John Molson School of Business
09.2002 - 05.2005
Diploma of College Studies (DCS/DEC) - Social Science, Law, Society & Justice Profile
Vanier College
09.2000 - 06.2002
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