Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai – New York, NY
Grants and Contracts Manager • July 2024–Present
Lead a team of Senior Contract Specialists supporting Oncology, Dermatology, Medicine, Emergency Medicine,
Pediatrics, and Anesthesiology. Partner with senior leadership to implement policies, streamline operations, and
strengthen institutional contracting practices.
• Manage team workload, training, and performance to ensure consistent application of institutional standards
• Serve as senior escalation point for complex negotiations, regulatory interpretation, and institutional risk issues
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Technology Transfer, and clinical departments to align contracting practices with
institutional priorities
• Project Manager for implementation of an AIdriven contract review tool to improve efficiency and consistency
• Present regularly at the Clinical Research Coordinator Bootcamp on contracting fundamentals and risk considerations
Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist • March 2021–June 2024
Negotiated and drafted clinical trial agreements, site agreements, indemnification terms, ARO agreements,
investigatorinitiated agreements, and related research contracts with pharmaceutical sponsors, CROs, and academic
institutions.
• Conducted comprehensive risk analyses for clinical studies, protecting institutional and investigator interests
• Negotiated contract terms ensuring compliance with DOH, FDA, STARK, Sunshine Act, AntiKickback Statute, False
Claims Act, and HIPAA
• Coordinated with Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP) on intellectual property, data rights, and technology
transfer considerations
• Managed contract lifecycle using Meditract, OnCore, and Huron, ensuring timely execution and auditready
documentation
• Served as primary point of contact for amendments, notices, and sponsor communications
• Collaborated with clinical departments to support study activation and operational readiness

Additional Institutional Contracting Experience
• Negotiated Master Clinical Trial Agreements, Master CDAs, Data Use Agreements, Participation Agreements,
Subcontracts, Consortium Agreements, and Collaboration Agreements for largescale research initiatives
• Drafted contract amendments and CDAs for complex research programs and discoveryfocused units
• Partnered with General Counsel, Export Control, Risk Management, and Digital and Technology Services to resolve
highrisk contract issues
• Trained and onboarded new contract specialists, reinforcing best practices and institutional standards
Speaking Engagements
• MAGI Boston (May 2022): Introduction to Clinical Trial Contracts – Part 1
• MAGI@Home (October 2024): Introduction to Clinical Trial Contracts – Part 2
Law Offices of James C. Mantia, P.C. – New York, NY
Principal Attorney • April 2014–March 2021
Founded and managed a multipractice litigation and transactional firm handling commercial litigation, real estate
disputes, construction litigation, foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, ADA and Fair Housing matters, and complex real
estate transactions.
Sperber Denenberg & Kahan, P.C. – New York, NY
Associate Attorney • June 2008–March 2014
Handled litigation from inception through trial across bankruptcy, real estate, commercial disputes, class actions, and
emergency injunctive matters.
Chestnut Holdings of New York, Inc. – Bronx, NY
General Counsel • January 2007–June 2008
Built and led the company’s first inhouse legal department. Oversaw litigation, contract development, lease drafting,
and legal strategy for a large real estate portfolio.
Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Schwartz & Nahins, P.C. – New York, NY
Associate Attorney • August 2000–December 2006
Litigation and transactional practice including trials, hearings, depositions, settlements, and contract drafting.