Lisa E.Schaures
Partner
Corporate
lschaures@seyfarth.com
With a strong belief in being a partner with her clients, Lisa guides businesses through transactions with an eye toward building strong teams that support her client’s goals and objectives.
More About Lisa
Lisa counsels privately held companies, startups, social ventures, and nonprofit organizations, as well as boards of directors, across industries through the corporate and tax issues at every stage of growth. Clients benefit from Lisa’s ability to represent them in negotiating and executing deals, as well as acting as outside general counsel.
With an eye toward understanding her clients’ broader business goals, Lisa advises her clients on corporate structures, purchases, mergers and acquisitions, corporate conversions, joint ventures, and has developed creative strategies for complex tax concerns, deferred compensation, and navigating potential conflicts of interest. In addition, she counsels nonprofit organizations on governance, tax exempt compliance, lobbying restrictions, fundraising law, and collaboration with other nonprofits and for-profit corporations.
She prides herself on her holistic approach to understanding her clients’ organization and her ability to build a team that relies on the expertise of her colleagues, while being nimble and efficient to successfully resolve negotiations and close transactions that contribute to her clients’ broader business goals.
With an eye toward understanding her clients’ broader business goals, Lisa advises her clients on corporate structures, purchases, mergers and acquisitions, corporate conversions, joint ventures, and has developed creative strategies for complex tax concerns, deferred compensation, and navigating potential conflicts of interest. In addition, she counsels nonprofit organizations on governance, tax exempt compliance, lobbying restrictions, fundraising law, and collaboration with other nonprofits and for-profit corporations.
She prides herself on her holistic approach to understanding her clients’ organization and her ability to build a team that relies on the expertise of her colleagues, while being nimble and efficient to successfully resolve negotiations and close transactions that contribute to her clients’ broader business goals.
- LLM, University of Washington School of Law
Taxation - JD, University of Oregon
- BA, Washington State University
- Oregon
- Washington
Related Key Industries
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Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
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Legal Update
Mar 5, 2024
2023 Human Capital Disclosure Report: In Betwixt and Between
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Speaking Engagement
Sep 21, 2023
Lisa Schaures and Shamim Mohandessi to Speak at the ACC-Washington 2023 Business Summit
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Attorney Publication
09/21/2023
Neeka Hodaie and Lisa Schaures Write on What to Know About New Oregon Consumer Privacy Law in Law360
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Tax Law (2018-2025); Nonprofit / Charities Law (2025); Corporate Law (2025)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Not-For-Profit (Nonprofit and Tax Exempt Organizations), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2022-2024)
- Washington Rising Stars List, Nonprofit Organizations (2013-2018)
- Washington State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Thomas Neville Pro Bono Award (2010)
- King County Bar Association, Nonprofit Legal Assistance Clinic, counsel (2010-Present)
- Seattle Tax Group, member (2015-Present)
- Washington Planned Giving Council, member (2014-Present); board of directors (2016-2020)
- Washington State Bar Association, Business Law Section, member
- Washington State Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section, member
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section and Taxation Section, member
- Washington State Bar Association, Taxation Section, member
- Washington Women in Tax, member
- Co-Author, "2023 Human Capital Disclosure Report: In Betwixt and Between," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 5, 2024)
- Co-Author, "What Cos. Must Know About New Ore. Consumer Privacy Law," Law360 (September 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, “Possessing the Unpossessable – Holding Digital Assets in Your UCC Hands,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 29, 2023)
- Co-Author, “Oregon Enacts Consumer Privacy Act,” Global Privacy Blog (August 29, 2023)
- Author, “Chapter 49. Charitable Solicitation in Washington,” “Chapter 50. Charitable Solicitation in Other States and Internet Solicitations,” and “Part 14. Ceasing Operations,” Washington Nonprofit Handbook (August 2022)
-
Co-Author, "Opinion: Legal industry needs to take a fresh look at recruiting strategies," Puget Sound Business Journal (August 31, 2018)
-
Author, "Chapter 45. Charitable Solicitation in Washington and Chapter 46. Charitable Solicitation Outside of Washington and Internet Solicitations," Washington Nonprofit Handbook (July 2018)
-
Author, "Self-Dealing: Classic Trouble for Private Foundations," King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin (November 2013)
- Moderator, “Navigating ESG in Technology Supply Chains,” ACC Washington Technology Summit (June 6, 2024)
- Moderator, “The Future of Philanthropy,” Western Philanthropy Conference 2024 (May 20, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Public Support Test – Traps for the Unwary,” TEGE Exempt Organizations Council, Annual Update and Meeting (March 8, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Public Support Test – Traps for the Unwary,” TEGE Annual Exempt Organizations Update (March 7, 2024)
- Panelist, “Mergers and Acquisitions,” Nonprofit Law Institute (November 6, 2023)
- Panelist, “Corporate Social Responsibility Hot Topics,” ACC Washington Business Summit (September 21, 2023)
- Panelist, "Key Governance and Giving Changes in 2022 - the New Nonprofit Corporation Act and Planned Giving Considerations," King County Bar Association Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (March 2, 2022)
-
Moderator, “The Year of Investment in Legal Technology,” ACC of WA 2021 Tech Summit (June 17, 2021)
-
Moderator, “2020 - How the Pandemic, Systemic Racism, and Social Justice are Shaping Philanthropy,” Washington Planned Giving Council (August 17, 2020)
-
Panelist, “Women, Diversity & Change: Sponsors, Influencers & Career Engineering for Legal Counsel,” The Women in Law Summit Series (November 14, 2019)
-
Panelist, “Charitable Giving Strategies & Donor Advised Funds,” Washington Planned Giving Council Conference (September 26, 2019)
-
Presenter, “Trends with Mid-Market Companies,” Puget Sound Business Journal, Middle Market Fast 50 (June 20, 2019)
-
Co-Presenter, “Charitable Giving Techniques in Estate Planning,” Kitsap Community Foundation Annual Estate Planners Seminar (January 31, 2019)
-
Co-Presenter, “Best Practices and Current Legal Issues in NFPs,” Not-for-Profit and Health Care Conference (November 16, 2018)
-
Co-Presenter, “Best Practices for Nonprofit Board Members,” What Every Board Member Needs to Know (November 8, 2018)
-
Co-Presenter, “Not-for-Profit Board Members – Roles, Responsibilities, and Legal Issues,” The Essentials for Not-for-Profit Board Members (September 12, 2018)
-
"Seattle Life Sciences Summit: Why Seattle is The Perfect Breeding Ground for the Biotech Industry," Seattle Life Sciences Summit (November 16, 2017)
-
Presenter, “Lobbying vs. Advocacy,” Washington Women’s Foundation (October 26, 2017)
-
Panelist, “Social Impact Structuring and Branding for Early Stage Companies,” Bend Venture Conference (October 19, 2017)
-
Presenter, “Public Charities – IRS Compliance Issues,” Nonprofit Law Institute at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (October 28, 2016)
-
Co-Presenter, “Transactional Community of Practice Seminar on M&A,” Seattle University School of Law (September 7, 2016)
-
Panelist, “Engaging Your Board in Planned Giving,” Planned Giving Day (May 18, 2016)
-
Presenter, “Not-for-Profit Board Members - Roles, Responsibilities and Legal Issues,” Basics for New Not-for-Profit Board Members seminar (February 24, 2016)
-
Presenter, “Best Practices when Serving on a Nonprofit Board,” Laird Norton University (October 20, 2015)
-
Presenter, “Not-for-Profit Board Members - Roles, Responsibilities and Legal Issues,” Basics for New Not-for-Profit Board Members seminar (May 27, 2015)
-
Presenter, “Deferred Compensation and Section 409A,” Seattle Certified Public Accountant Tax Roundtable (March 20, 2015)
-
Co-Presenter, “Strategic Planning for Women Business Owners,” Women Presidents' Organization (March 10, 2015)
-
Panelist, Panel Discussion of Endowments, Washington Planned Giving Council (March 9, 2015)
-
Presenter, “Not-for-Profit Board Members - Roles, Responsibilities and Legal Issues,” Basics for New Not-for-Profit Board Members seminar (January 27, 2015)
-
Co-Presenter, “Executive Compensation and IRC 409A Issues,” Seattle Tax Group (November 17, 2014)
-
Presenter, “Board Member Basics," Washington Women in Tax (October 8, 2014)
-
Panelist, “Best Practices for Nonprofit Board Members," Bainbridge Community Foundation (September 30, 2014)
-
Presenter, “Social Purpose and Benefit Corporations: What They are and What They Mean for the Nonprofit, Estate and Business Sectors," Seattle Estate Planning Council (September 17, 2014)
-
Panelist, “Cradle to Grave - An Overview of Legal and Practical Aspects of Representing Businesses," Young Lawyers Forum, ABA Section of Taxation (May 9, 2014)
-
Panelist, “Best Practices for Nonprofit Board Members," Women In Philanthropy (March 20, 2014)
-
Panelist, “Best Practice for Nonprofit Board Members," Women in Philanthropy (February 6, 2014)
-
Co-Presenter, “Succession Planning for Owners of Closely Held Businesses," Washington State Bar Association RPPT Fall Probate and Trust Seminar (December 2013)
-
Speaker, "Board Member Basics," Smart Women's Lunch Series (September 18, 2013)
-
Speaker, "Legislation with Social Purpose - Examining Regulations on International Activities and Social Purpose Corporations in the Context of Today's Economy," presented by Moss Adams (March 12, 2013)
-
Speaker, "Key Intellectual Property Terms in Operating Agreements," presented by KCBA IP Section (March 7, 2013)
-
Speaker, "Business Leaders Panel Discussion: Business Tips for Smart Entrepreneurs," presented by Pacific Northwest Women in Business (February 13, 2013)
-
Speaker, "Social Purpose and Benefit Corporations: What Are They and What Do They Mean for the Nonprofit Sector?" Advanced Issues in the Law of Nonprofit Organizations, presented by WSBA (January 15, 2013)
- King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, board of directors (2023-Present)
- Seattle University School of Law, Transactional Law: Making the Deal, adjunct professor (2018-Present)
-
InvestED Heritage Advisory Council, member (2016-Present)
-
Seattle Philanthropic Advisors Network, member (2012-Present)
-
YWCA of Seattle-King-Snohomish, board of directors (2015-Present)
-
Fred Hutch Planned Giving Advisory Committee, member (2016-2019)
With a strong belief in being a partner with her clients, Lisa guides businesses through transactions with an eye toward building strong teams that support her client’s goals and objectives.
More About Lisa
Lisa counsels privately held companies, startups, social ventures, and nonprofit organizations, as well as boards of directors, across industries through the corporate and tax issues at every stage of growth. Clients benefit from Lisa’s ability to represent them in negotiating and executing deals, as well as acting as outside general counsel.
With an eye toward understanding her clients’ broader business goals, Lisa advises her clients on corporate structures, purchases, mergers and acquisitions, corporate conversions, joint ventures, and has developed creative strategies for complex tax concerns, deferred compensation, and navigating potential conflicts of interest. In addition, she counsels nonprofit organizations on governance, tax exempt compliance, lobbying restrictions, fundraising law, and collaboration with other nonprofits and for-profit corporations.
She prides herself on her holistic approach to understanding her clients’ organization and her ability to build a team that relies on the expertise of her colleagues, while being nimble and efficient to successfully resolve negotiations and close transactions that contribute to her clients’ broader business goals.
With an eye toward understanding her clients’ broader business goals, Lisa advises her clients on corporate structures, purchases, mergers and acquisitions, corporate conversions, joint ventures, and has developed creative strategies for complex tax concerns, deferred compensation, and navigating potential conflicts of interest. In addition, she counsels nonprofit organizations on governance, tax exempt compliance, lobbying restrictions, fundraising law, and collaboration with other nonprofits and for-profit corporations.
She prides herself on her holistic approach to understanding her clients’ organization and her ability to build a team that relies on the expertise of her colleagues, while being nimble and efficient to successfully resolve negotiations and close transactions that contribute to her clients’ broader business goals.
- LLM, University of Washington School of Law
Taxation - JD, University of Oregon
- BA, Washington State University
- Oregon
- Washington
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Legal Update
Mar 5, 2024
2023 Human Capital Disclosure Report: In Betwixt and Between
-
Speaking Engagement
Sep 21, 2023
Lisa Schaures and Shamim Mohandessi to Speak at the ACC-Washington 2023 Business Summit
-
Attorney Publication
09/21/2023
Neeka Hodaie and Lisa Schaures Write on What to Know About New Oregon Consumer Privacy Law in Law360
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Tax Law (2018-2025); Nonprofit / Charities Law (2025); Corporate Law (2025)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Not-For-Profit (Nonprofit and Tax Exempt Organizations), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2022-2024)
- Washington Rising Stars List, Nonprofit Organizations (2013-2018)
- Washington State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Thomas Neville Pro Bono Award (2010)
- King County Bar Association, Nonprofit Legal Assistance Clinic, counsel (2010-Present)
- Seattle Tax Group, member (2015-Present)
- Washington Planned Giving Council, member (2014-Present); board of directors (2016-2020)
- Washington State Bar Association, Business Law Section, member
- Washington State Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section, member
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section and Taxation Section, member
- Washington State Bar Association, Taxation Section, member
- Washington Women in Tax, member
- Co-Author, "2023 Human Capital Disclosure Report: In Betwixt and Between," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 5, 2024)
- Co-Author, "What Cos. Must Know About New Ore. Consumer Privacy Law," Law360 (September 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, “Possessing the Unpossessable – Holding Digital Assets in Your UCC Hands,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 29, 2023)
- Co-Author, “Oregon Enacts Consumer Privacy Act,” Global Privacy Blog (August 29, 2023)
- Author, “Chapter 49. Charitable Solicitation in Washington,” “Chapter 50. Charitable Solicitation in Other States and Internet Solicitations,” and “Part 14. Ceasing Operations,” Washington Nonprofit Handbook (August 2022)
-
Co-Author, "Opinion: Legal industry needs to take a fresh look at recruiting strategies," Puget Sound Business Journal (August 31, 2018)
-
Author, "Chapter 45. Charitable Solicitation in Washington and Chapter 46. Charitable Solicitation Outside of Washington and Internet Solicitations," Washington Nonprofit Handbook (July 2018)
-
Author, "Self-Dealing: Classic Trouble for Private Foundations," King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin (November 2013)
- Moderator, “Navigating ESG in Technology Supply Chains,” ACC Washington Technology Summit (June 6, 2024)
- Moderator, “The Future of Philanthropy,” Western Philanthropy Conference 2024 (May 20, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Public Support Test – Traps for the Unwary,” TEGE Exempt Organizations Council, Annual Update and Meeting (March 8, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Public Support Test – Traps for the Unwary,” TEGE Annual Exempt Organizations Update (March 7, 2024)
- Panelist, “Mergers and Acquisitions,” Nonprofit Law Institute (November 6, 2023)
- Panelist, “Corporate Social Responsibility Hot Topics,” ACC Washington Business Summit (September 21, 2023)
- Panelist, "Key Governance and Giving Changes in 2022 - the New Nonprofit Corporation Act and Planned Giving Considerations," King County Bar Association Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (March 2, 2022)
-
Moderator, “The Year of Investment in Legal Technology,” ACC of WA 2021 Tech Summit (June 17, 2021)
-
Moderator, “2020 - How the Pandemic, Systemic Racism, and Social Justice are Shaping Philanthropy,” Washington Planned Giving Council (August 17, 2020)
-
Panelist, “Women, Diversity & Change: Sponsors, Influencers & Career Engineering for Legal Counsel,” The Women in Law Summit Series (November 14, 2019)
-
Panelist, “Charitable Giving Strategies & Donor Advised Funds,” Washington Planned Giving Council Conference (September 26, 2019)
-
Presenter, “Trends with Mid-Market Companies,” Puget Sound Business Journal, Middle Market Fast 50 (June 20, 2019)
-
Co-Presenter, “Charitable Giving Techniques in Estate Planning,” Kitsap Community Foundation Annual Estate Planners Seminar (January 31, 2019)
-
Co-Presenter, “Best Practices and Current Legal Issues in NFPs,” Not-for-Profit and Health Care Conference (November 16, 2018)
-
Co-Presenter, “Best Practices for Nonprofit Board Members,” What Every Board Member Needs to Know (November 8, 2018)
-
Co-Presenter, “Not-for-Profit Board Members – Roles, Responsibilities, and Legal Issues,” The Essentials for Not-for-Profit Board Members (September 12, 2018)
-
"Seattle Life Sciences Summit: Why Seattle is The Perfect Breeding Ground for the Biotech Industry," Seattle Life Sciences Summit (November 16, 2017)
-
Presenter, “Lobbying vs. Advocacy,” Washington Women’s Foundation (October 26, 2017)
-
Panelist, “Social Impact Structuring and Branding for Early Stage Companies,” Bend Venture Conference (October 19, 2017)
-
Presenter, “Public Charities – IRS Compliance Issues,” Nonprofit Law Institute at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (October 28, 2016)
-
Co-Presenter, “Transactional Community of Practice Seminar on M&A,” Seattle University School of Law (September 7, 2016)
-
Panelist, “Engaging Your Board in Planned Giving,” Planned Giving Day (May 18, 2016)
-
Presenter, “Not-for-Profit Board Members - Roles, Responsibilities and Legal Issues,” Basics for New Not-for-Profit Board Members seminar (February 24, 2016)
-
Presenter, “Best Practices when Serving on a Nonprofit Board,” Laird Norton University (October 20, 2015)
-
Presenter, “Not-for-Profit Board Members - Roles, Responsibilities and Legal Issues,” Basics for New Not-for-Profit Board Members seminar (May 27, 2015)
-
Presenter, “Deferred Compensation and Section 409A,” Seattle Certified Public Accountant Tax Roundtable (March 20, 2015)
-
Co-Presenter, “Strategic Planning for Women Business Owners,” Women Presidents' Organization (March 10, 2015)
-
Panelist, Panel Discussion of Endowments, Washington Planned Giving Council (March 9, 2015)
-
Presenter, “Not-for-Profit Board Members - Roles, Responsibilities and Legal Issues,” Basics for New Not-for-Profit Board Members seminar (January 27, 2015)
-
Co-Presenter, “Executive Compensation and IRC 409A Issues,” Seattle Tax Group (November 17, 2014)
-
Presenter, “Board Member Basics," Washington Women in Tax (October 8, 2014)
-
Panelist, “Best Practices for Nonprofit Board Members," Bainbridge Community Foundation (September 30, 2014)
-
Presenter, “Social Purpose and Benefit Corporations: What They are and What They Mean for the Nonprofit, Estate and Business Sectors," Seattle Estate Planning Council (September 17, 2014)
-
Panelist, “Cradle to Grave - An Overview of Legal and Practical Aspects of Representing Businesses," Young Lawyers Forum, ABA Section of Taxation (May 9, 2014)
-
Panelist, “Best Practices for Nonprofit Board Members," Women In Philanthropy (March 20, 2014)
-
Panelist, “Best Practice for Nonprofit Board Members," Women in Philanthropy (February 6, 2014)
-
Co-Presenter, “Succession Planning for Owners of Closely Held Businesses," Washington State Bar Association RPPT Fall Probate and Trust Seminar (December 2013)
-
Speaker, "Board Member Basics," Smart Women's Lunch Series (September 18, 2013)
-
Speaker, "Legislation with Social Purpose - Examining Regulations on International Activities and Social Purpose Corporations in the Context of Today's Economy," presented by Moss Adams (March 12, 2013)
-
Speaker, "Key Intellectual Property Terms in Operating Agreements," presented by KCBA IP Section (March 7, 2013)
-
Speaker, "Business Leaders Panel Discussion: Business Tips for Smart Entrepreneurs," presented by Pacific Northwest Women in Business (February 13, 2013)
-
Speaker, "Social Purpose and Benefit Corporations: What Are They and What Do They Mean for the Nonprofit Sector?" Advanced Issues in the Law of Nonprofit Organizations, presented by WSBA (January 15, 2013)
- King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, board of directors (2023-Present)
- Seattle University School of Law, Transactional Law: Making the Deal, adjunct professor (2018-Present)
-
InvestED Heritage Advisory Council, member (2016-Present)
-
Seattle Philanthropic Advisors Network, member (2012-Present)
-
YWCA of Seattle-King-Snohomish, board of directors (2015-Present)
-
Fred Hutch Planned Giving Advisory Committee, member (2016-2019)