A New York Times bestselling author, attorney, sports agent, civic leader, and sought-after speaker, Shapiro graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1967. From 1972 to 1974, he served as Maryland State Securities Commissioner and earned a reputation as one of the most effective state investment officials in the nation.

In 1972, he founded what is now known as Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, a prominent Baltimore law firm. In 1976, he founded Shapiro, Robinson & Associates, a sports management firm, and in 1995, he founded Shapiro Negotiations Institute, a negotiation and sales training and consulting firm.

His books include The Power of Nice; Bullies, Tyrants, and Impossible People; Dare to Prepare; and Perfecting Your Pitch.

Committed to public and civic matters, Shapiro has chaired more than 25 boards of charitable and community organizations. His dispute resolution techniques have settled a major symphony orchestra strike, facilitated solutions to human relations problems, and resolved disputes in governmental, corporate, and major biotechnology challenges.