Sharmaine Heng
Director of Pro Bono & Social Impact
Introduction
As Nixon Peabody’s first Director of Pro Bono & Social Impact, Sharmaine Heng is a key leader of the cross-disciplinary team created to maximize the firm’s positive impact through pro bono work, charitable giving, board memberships and affiliations, and volunteer activity.
My focus
Drawing on her own background as a practicing attorney, Sharmaine understands the private bar has the ability—and the obligation—to use their skills to make a difference in our communities. Sharmaine coordinates these efforts to ensure Nixon Peabody is inspiring our people to participate in the firm’s social impact efforts and capitalizing on the strengths of our team.
Sharmaine began her career as a transactional associate and quickly built an extensive pro bono practice. With the desire to focus full-time on creating similar opportunities for her fellow attorneys, Sharmaine transitioned to top pro bono program management roles for the next 10 years. As the first person to hold this newly created position at Nixon Peabody, Sharmaine focuses on:
- connecting attorneys with pro bono work that is meaningful to them and draws on their specific talents and passions
- building and strengthening collaborations with clients and external pro bono partners
- leading the rollout and execution of Nixon Peabody’s social impact strategic plan, which aligns the firm’s impact lawyering, pro bono, philanthropy, and community engagement efforts
- developing and tracking metrics to measure outcomes and impact of the firm’s pro bono and social impact initiatives
Looking ahead
Pro bono is a foundational piece of every firm’s social responsibility practice, but we’re seeing law firms push beyond that and think more broadly and holistically about their social impact goals. We are also seeing a shift away from traditional pro bono metrics that measure inputs—average pro bono hours or number of volunteers—and a new focus on tracking and measuring positive outcomes. At Nixon Peabody, both in the pro bono and billable spaces, our lawyers are inspired by understanding how our work translates to tangible results for our clients, their businesses, and the communities they serve. Our identity is focused on making a positive impact for each of these critical constituencies.
In the news
- Law360
COVID fuels top firms' priorities in 2022
This article on three key law firm priorities for the year quotes Director of Pro Bono & Social Impact Sharmaine Heng in a section on “making a social impact,” highlighting her recent move to NP and noting that our firm’s five-year Strategic Plan includes a core commitment to improve equity in our communities and create greater opportunity and access.Jan 24, 2022 - Bloomberg Law
Nixon Peabody elevates diversity director to C-suite
The following article features the promotion of Rekha Chiruvolu to Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, noting her points of focus for the DEI program and her close collaboration with Pro Bono & Social Impact Director Sharmaine Heng to expand our positive impact as a firm. Law360 also quotes Managing Partner and CEO Steve Zubiago on Rekha’s passion for DEI in the legal profession.Jan 11, 2022 - Law360
Nixon Peabody elevates diversity director to C-suite
The following article features the promotion of Rekha Chiruvolu to Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, noting her points of focus for the DEI program and her close collaboration with Pro Bono & Social Impact Director Sharmaine Heng to expand our positive impact as a firm. Law360 also quotes Managing Partner and CEO Steve Zubiago on Rekha’s passion for DEI in the legal profession.Jan 11, 2022 - The American Lawyer
Nixon Peabody elevates Chief Diversity Officer role as it looks to expand DEI programming
The following article features the promotion of Rekha Chiruvolu to Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, noting her points of focus for the DEI program and her close collaboration with Pro Bono & Social Impact Director Sharmaine Heng to expand our positive impact as a firm. Law360 also quotes Managing Partner and CEO Steve Zubiago on Rekha’s passion for DEI in the legal profession.Jan 11, 2022 - Law360
Nixon Peabody adds director of pro bono, social impact
This article announces the arrival of Director of Pro Bono & Social Impact Sharmaine Heng while highlighting our firm’s deep commitment to social impact. Sharmaine discusses what attracted her to NP and explains how creating a cohesive social impact strategy involves looking at all of our work through a different lens. The article also quotes Managing Partner and CEO Steve Zubiago on Sharmaine’s vision for building on our successes and achieving our pro bono and social impact goals.Dec 17, 2021 - The American Lawyer
Nixon Peabody looks to tie billable 'impact lawyering' to pro bono work with new hire
This article, announcing the arrival of Director of Pro Bono & Social Impact Sharmaine Heng, articulates NP’s social impact strategy and highlights our firm’s focus on “impact lawyering” among billable practice areas. In addition to quoting Sharmaine, the article includes quotes from Strategic Impact partners Jill Gordon and Greg Doran and Pro Bono Partner Matt RichardsDec 16, 2021
Admitted to practice
Massachusetts
New York
District of Columbia
Education
Columbia University, B.A.
University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D.
Professional activities
- Board Member, Association of Pro Bono Counsel
- Board Member, Friends of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia