Lisa F. Shaftel is an illustrator, graphic artist, and IP paralegal specializing in visual works in the Boston, MA, metro area. Lisa earned a BFA in Scenic & Lighting Design from the State University of NY/Purchase College, an MFA from the Polakov Studio of Stage Design in NYC, a Certificate in Multimedia from the University of Washington Extension, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from the University of Massachusetts/Lowell.

Lisa worked professionally in the entertainment industry for 30 years as a Scenic Designer, Scenic Artist, Prop Person, Puppet Designer/Builder, and Storyboard Artist. During career she has worked on Broadway shows, regional theatre, professional opera and ballet, in television, film, video, advertising, on exhibits and displays, and architectural installations throughout the US and abroad. Lisa has been a member of United Scenic Artists local 829, I.A.T.S.E. local 481. Productions she has worked on have won Tony Awards, an Academy Award, a Clio Award, and an Emmy Award.

Lisa joined the Graphic Artists Guild in 1985. After a term as President of the SPGA/Seattle Chapter, Lisa served in national leadership in the Graphic Artists Guild from 2003-2016 on the Executive Committee and as National Advocacy Chair and Liaison from 2004-2016, acting as representative and consultant to the US Copyright Office, to the US Congress concerning legislative issues. Representing the GAG, she was a member of the Copyright Society USA (2005-2016), as well as GAG Representative to the Authors Coalition of America and IFRRO (2004-2016). Lisa was a contributor to 3 editions of The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing & Ethical Guidelines.

Lisa has taught legal issues and business practices to visual creators, including copyright and licensing, job tracking, pricing and contracts as a Lecturer at Lasell College in Newton, MA, for 6 years, and continues to give seminars as a guest lecturer at art and design programs in the New England area including Massachusetts College of Art, The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts (University of New Haven), and New England School of Art & Design (Suffolk University).

A charter member of both the Copyright Alliance and the Coalition of Visual Artists, Lisa now works as a freelance IP paralegal, collaborating with the other organizations in the Coalition of Visual Artists drafting comment letters on Copyright Office studies as well as advocating to promote and protect the economic and professional interests of visual artists to Congress.