BBA Spotlight Series: Get to Know Emerging Leaders in Boston Law–Marylana Saadeh Helou

Marylana Saadeh Helou, Member of the Firm in the Health Care & Life Sciences practice, in the firm’s Boston office, was featured in the Boston Bar Association’s (BBA) Spotlight Series, “Get to Know Emerging Leaders in Boston Law.”

Following is an excerpt:

This summer, we’re spotlighting emerging leaders in Boston law to highlight the work they do, their legal careers thus far, and their connection to the larger Boston legal community. We caught up with Marylana Saadeh Helou of Epstein Becker Green (EBG) to learn more about her growing health care and life sciences practice, her advice to new lawyers in Boston, and more. Check out the full interview below: 

Boston Bar Association: What inspired you to become a lawyer after working in research? And more specifically, what sparked your interest in health care law?

Marylana: My journey to health care law was quite fortuitous. After graduating from the American University of Beirut with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, I moved to Boston to work as a research assistant in Boston University’s (BU’s) School of Medicine lab. At the time, I had my sights on medical school, so I thought that working in a lab would be a good steppingstone in that direction.

The lab’s focus was understanding how cells involved in diabetes and obesity communicate. During my three-year tenure there, I acquired many technical skills, but I also learned lifelong skills, such as the importance of being detail-oriented, how to think critically and outside the box, and how to collaborate with team members. I enjoyed being part of that inquisitive, exciting environment, but I felt that something was still missing for me.

My wonderful boss encouraged me to take a few classes at BU’s School of Public Health and explore “science-adjacent” careers. I followed her advice and took classes on health and human rights, drug law, and bioethics. Those classes introduced me to the diverse and dynamic field of health law. I knew almost immediately that I wanted to work in that space.

Today, I feel like I have come full circle, as my practice is focused on advising academic medical centers, universities, life sciences and digital health companies, and other research stakeholders on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues related to biomedical and scientific research.

BBA: What advice would you give to new lawyers or law students entering the profession? 

Marylana: Start networking early and often and do it in a way that is authentic and genuine to you. I can’t overstate how important it is to cultivate a solid group of professionals (both peers and professionals more senior to you) who can help you establish a solid professional presence, provide guidance on navigating professional development, and perhaps open doors to exciting opportunities. Stay in touch with these contacts, congratulate them on their achievements, and be there for them whenever possible, too.

BBA: ​What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Marylana: I feel proud when our team assists our life sciences and health care clients achieve their missions and business goals. Whether it is counseling pharmaceutical and medical device companies on the structure and negotiation of research agreements for multi-site global industry-sponsored clinical trials and strategic research collaborations, assisting institutions with their research compliance and research misconduct investigations, or conducting regulatory diligence of clinical research investments for our private equity clients, any time a client is thankful for our assistance is a proud moment for me.

On a more personal level, I would say being a first-generation attorney and being elected to my firm’s partnership after immigrating to the United States 15 years ago is a professional milestone I am particularly proud of.

BBA: ​What are some of the challenges you face in your job?

Marylana: The challenging aspect of my job is also what I find most interesting and exciting about it: keeping up with the complex and often-changing landscape of relevant laws and guidance. It is crucial not only to quickly grasp these developments, but also to understand how they impact our clients and inform their policies, procedures, and business decisions.

BBA: Are you involved in any kind of pro bono or community work? If so, what kind of work, and why is it important to you?

Marylana: I strive to always maintain an active pro bono practice. At Epstein Becker Green, we are encouraged to actively participate in pro bono work, and if an attorney has a passion for a particular cause, the firm is always happy to take that on as well.

For example, this year, I connected with the President & Co-Founder of the Global Smile Foundation (GSF), Dr. Usama Hamdan, at an alumni event. I learned about the terrific work GSF is doing to provide comprehensive care for patients born with a cleft lip/palate in underserved communities throughout the world, and I wanted to help GSF in its mission. The firm was glad to take on GSF as one of our pro bono clients, and we have been supporting the organization with various health care regulatory work.

I also serve on the Board of Trustees of my high school alma mater in Beirut, Lebanon, the International College, and I am a proud supporter of Health Law Advocates’ Annual Benefit Breakfast, which is a great networking event for new lawyers or law students interested in health care law.

BBA: Why is it important to you to be involved in the broader legal community, like the BBA? How has this helped you in your career?

Marylana: In my experience, the BBA has been a wonderful resource to connect with other health law attorneys. As a law student, I frequently attended brown-bag lunches on hot topics in the industry and various networking events. As an attorney, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at many BBA sessions. These events are a great opportunity to forge valuable connections with like-minded peers who share your drive for the law, and they also provide an opportunity to give back to the community by mentoring new attorneys.

BBA: What is your favorite fall tradition here in Boston?

Marylana: Our favorite fall activity as a family is actually going to the beach! We love to fly kites, collect rocks and shells, and go for long walks by the water. We also love exploring The Trustees of Reservations properties and farms and enjoy going for a hike to see the scenic fall foliage.