Shara Boonshaft is the Associate Dean for External Relations at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where she plays a lead role in devising and implementing strategy around the law school’s philanthropic, alumni engagement, and communications efforts.
Shara graduated Order of the Coif from the law school in 2002 and received a B.A. in Women’s Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1998. During law school she served as a Notes and Comments Editor for the Maryland Law Review, received a Public Service Award, and served as her 3L Class President. She was also active in MPILP and the Student Women’s Bar Association. After graduation, Shara clerked for the Honorable James R. Eyler (now retired from the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland). Following her clerkship, Shara joined Swidler Berlin LLP as an associate in their DC office, where she began working with the firm’s Insurance Coverage practice group. Over the next ten years, Shara represented corporate policyholders in disputes seeking insurance proceeds for a wide array of claims and advised clients on complex insurance matters, with stints at Swidler (2003-06), Heller Ehrman LLP (2006-08), and Covington & Burling LLP (2008-13).
In 2013, Shara left law practice in DC to return to Baltimore to work for Baltimore-based nonprofit, the Ulman Foundation, where she was the chief fundraising officer for the organization and helped Ulman successfully launch its first Capital Campaign. In less than a year, she helped secure gifts and pledges totaling more than $2.5M towards the Campaign’s $3M goal.
Shara was selected for The Daily Record’s VIP List in 2017 and has twice participated on UMB’s Women in Leadership Panel. She previously served on UMB’s Diversity Advisory Council and is currently participating in the President’s University Leadership Program. Shara also serves on the Board of the Friends of Patterson Park.