Paralegal Spotlight: Sarah Maha

By Lakisha Chichester

The Calm at the Center of a Global Legal Team

A Career with Depth and Heart

Sarah Maha began her career path at Meredith College in the Legal Assistant Program in Raleigh. After completing the program, she gained invaluable experience at a small law firm in Sarasota, Florida, where she wore many hats. She handled wills, estates, probate, real estate, and more.

While her Florida firm gave her a strong foundation, Sarah returned to North Carolina to build on her legal career. In 1997, she joined the legal department at BASF, where she spent many years honing her expertise.

In 2013, Sarah joined Workplace Options, a company she has proudly called home ever since. On May 1, 2025, Workplace Options was purchased by TELUS Health, Inc., a transition that brought both new opportunities and challenges as the two companies merged.

The Right Hand of the Chief Legal Officer

As the paralegal to the Chief Legal Officer, Sarah supports a global network of 20 offices with calm confidence and deep expertise. Sarah manages contract templates, employment matters, legal help desk requests, and oversees regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.

In addition, Sarah leads the externship program with local law schools by recruiting, orienting, and mentoring students. She provides hands-on exposure to in-house practice, offers feedback on projects, and guides future professionals in their development and ethics.

“We’re a small legal team with a global scope,” she explains. “Collaboration is very important with a team this size. Everyone on the team brings strong and unique skill sets, and we support each other.”

Her role bridges the legal and operational worlds, making sure the company remains compliant, responsive, and legally protected across a wide range of jurisdictions.

Mindfulness at Work: Leading with Well-Being

Sarah thrives in a corporate environment where legal support is more than transactional; it is transformational. Workplace Options administers employee assistance program services (“EAPs”) worldwide, and Sarah plays a critical behind-the-scenes role ensuring legal and regulatory compliance across 20 global offices. Her daily work spans everything from reviewing agreements to navigating complex “know your client” documentation and compliance with international regulations.

But what sets Sarah apart is not just her expertise – it is her approach. She is a passionate advocate for mental health, wellness, and work-life balance. At Workplace Options, she organizes monthly “Mindfulness Moments” for the legal team, led by an in-house wellness counselor. “It’s a small pause, but it matters. We deal with stress in this field, and having a moment to breathe is important,” she shares.

She also champions company-wide wellness initiatives, encouraging daily 15-minute wellness walks, quarterly challenges, and even ‘deskercises’ to promote physical and mental well-being in the workplace.

Life Beyond the Office: Balance, Community, and Wellness

Outside of work, Sarah recharges by spending time outdoors, often exploring Raleigh’s greenways like Crabtree Creek and Lake Lynn. She enjoys photographing flowers and wildlife along her walks, capturing the small moments of beauty she encounters.

She is also an enthusiastic home cook, especially during the holidays. “Each year, I bake 15 batches of cookies and box them up for family and friends,” she shares with a smile, noting that the tradition brings her as much joy as it does to those lucky enough to receive them.

Her commitment to wellness extends to her everyday lifestyle. She enjoys visiting local farmers’ markets and creating fresh and healthy meals out of fresh produce, nourishing both body and community.

A Lasting Impact

Sarah’s perspective on mindfulness, balance, and community also shapes how she views the future of paralegal work. While she embraces the efficiency of AI, she emphasizes that “there will always be a need for a real person behind the work – someone with empathy and judgment.”

When asked about her advice for aspiring paralegals, particularly those interested in global companies, Sarah is quick to recommend TimeandDate.com for managing international meeting schedules and Monday.com for managing projects. Above all, she encourages others to build respectful, people-first relationships.

Sarah’s impact does not stop at her desk. Her supportive leadership, profound perspective, and genuine care for others make her a quiet force of good in the workplace. She is not only a trusted professional – she is also a mentor, advocate and example of what it means to thrive with both excellence and heart.

Lakisha Chichester, ACP, NCCP, is a certified paralegal and real estate broker in Durham, NC. With over a decade of experience in legal and regulatory compliance, real estate, and corporate governance, she is passionate about staying at the forefront of legal and real estate trends. When not working, Lakisha enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her six grandchildren.

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