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    • Alternative Fee Arrangements

      Developing innovative pricing structures and alternative fee agreement models that deliver additional value for our clients.

    • Continuing Education

      Advancing professional knowledge and offering credits for attorneys, staff and other professionals.

    • Crisis Advisory

      Helping clients respond correctly when a crisis occurs.

    • DEI Strategic Services

      Providing our clients with legal, strategic, and practical advice to make transformational changes in their organizations.

    • eDiscovery

      Leveraging law and technology to deliver sound solutions.

    • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

      We help clients create positive return on investments in people, products, and the planet.

    • Global Services

      Delivering seamless service through partnerships across the globe.

    • Innovation

      Leveraging leading-edge technology to guide change and create seamless, collaborative experiences for clients and attorneys.

    • IPED

      Industry-leading conferences focused on affordable housing, tax credits, and more.

    • Legal Project Management

      Providing actionable information to support strategic decision-making.

    • Legally Green

      Teaming with clients to advance sustainable projects, mitigate the effects of climate change, and protect our planet.

    • Nixon Peabody Trust Company

      Offering a range of investment management and fiduciary services.

    • NP Capital Connector

      Bringing together companies and investors for tomorrow’s new deals.

    • NP Second Opinion

      Offering fresh insights on cases that are delayed, over budget, or off-target from the desired resolution.

    • NP Trial

      Courtroom-ready lawyers who can resolve disputes early on clients’ terms or prevail at trial before a judge or jury.

    • Social Impact

      Creating positive impact in our communities through increasing equity, access, and opportunity.

    • Women in Dealmaking

      We provide strategic counsel on complex corporate transactions and unite dynamic women in the dealmaking arena.

    Open Workspace in the Nixon Peabody Boston Office
    1. Home
    2. Who We Are
    3. Social Impact

      Who We Are

    Creating positive impact in our communities

    • Who we are
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Social Impact
    • Sustainability
    • Well Being
    • Leadership
    • Media

    We marshal our talents, tools, and resources to be agents of change—pursuing justice and giving voice to underserved individuals in our communities.

    Pro bono services that make an impact

    We believe attorneys have the ability and the obligation to advocate for those often overlooked by our justice system. Our pro bono work focuses on racial justice, LGBT+ equality, sustainability, and more—serving vulnerable individuals and families in our surrounding communities and advancing important causes nationwide.

    • Average of 39

      pro bono hours per attorney

    • Over 26,000

      pro bono hours firmwide in 2024

    • 3%

      of billable hours pledged to pro bono work – PBI Pro Bono Challenge signatory

    • 76%

      attorney participation in pro bono work

    Pro Bono Highlights

    Blue circle behind a blue arch, with another, lighter blue circle alongside

    LGBTQ+ rights: Fighting for transgender health equity

    A team of NP Chicago attorneys successfully represented two transgender women in Iowa whose gender-affirming surgeries were denied by Medicare. Their victory before the Iowa Supreme Court could have far-reaching effects on discriminatory state laws across the nation.

    Stack of three green, semitransparent triangles

    Immigration and humanitarian response: Resettling Afghan refugees

    When the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in summer 2021, NP immediately created a team of more than 25 legal professionals to support the safe and rapid migration of Afghan refugees to the United States. With our nonprofit partners, we assisted more than 850 Afghans departing the country amid increasing turmoil.

    Sharmaine Heng - Director of Pro Bono & Social Impact - Nixon Peabody LLP
    It’s truly inspiring to see how our work translates to tangible results for our clients, their businesses, and our communities.

    Sharmaine HengDirector of Pro Bono & Social Impact

    Social impact in action

    We make a positive impact by giving back with our time, resources, and talent.

    Our colleagues roll up sleeves for Nixon Peabody Impact Week of Service

    Rolling up our sleeves for Nixon Peabody Impact Week of Service

    Across Nixon Peabody, colleagues continued a favorite firmwide tradition that embodies our collective spirit of giving and service.

    Read More

    Pro Bono & Social Impact Snapshot

    Pro Bono & Social Impact Snapshot

    Learn more about our Pro Bono and Social Impact program and how that work embodies our core values of equity, access, and opportunity. 

    Read More

    Two people smiling at the camera, seated at a table where they are packing cookies into plastic bags and tying them with a red ribbon. A pile of completed packages is on the table in front of them. In the background are other people engaged in similar activities.

    Joining forces through pro bono and volunteerism

    We partner with local and national organizations where we believe our pro bono and community service efforts can help make a measurable community difference.

    Our areas of focus include education, affordable housing, community and economic development, healthcare, social services, and civil legal aid.

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    Charitable giving

    We spearhead charitable giving initiatives at all levels of the firm. We support inspiring organizations across the country. Our local offices host regular fundraising drives, including to benefit veterans and people experiencing homelessness.

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    Community leadership

    Our attorneys sit on the boards of organizations that strengthen our local communities and often link to our pro bono and volunteerism efforts.

    Achievements & Recognitions

    Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge Signatory

    Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge®

    Nixon Peabody is a Signatory to The Pro Bono Institute Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® initiative. We believe in our institutional, firm-wide commitment to provide pro bono legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families, nonprofit groups, and other worthy causes. 

    Pro Bono Institute

    NLADA Beacon of Justice Award

    Beacon of Justice Award

    We’re honored to receive the 2024 Beacon of Justice Award from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) in recognition of our pro bono work protecting civil and human rights around the world.

    The National Legal Aid & Defender Association

    AIDS Legal Referral Panel

    Law Firm of the Year

    The AIDS Legal Referral Panel recognized Nixon Peabody for its longstanding pro bono work with the organization.

    AIDS Legal Referral Panel

    LatinoJustice PRLDEF

    Pro Bono Publico Champion

    NP was recognized by LatinoJustice, which advocates for equitable and accessible justice, especially for the US Latino community.

    LatinoJustice

    Stanford Center for Human Rights and International Justice

    Human Rights in Action Award

    Presented to our firm by Stanford’s Center for Human Rights and International Justice, which is dedicated to protecting and promoting dignity and rights for all.

    Stanford Center for Human Rights and International Justice

    Key Contacts

    Sharmaine Heng

    Director of Pro Bono & Social Impact

    • Office+1 202.585.8817
    • sheng@nixonpeabody.com

    Matthew A. Richards

    Partner

    • Office+1 415.984.5093
    • mrichards@nixonpeabody.com

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