Boston, MA. Chambers USA has selected Nixon Peabody LLP as the recipient of its 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Award for “Environment & Sustainability: Outstanding Firm.”
The legal data and analytics provider presents the annual Diversity & Inclusion awards to celebrate the achievements of firms and individuals who are furthering the advancement of diversity, inclusion, pro bono, and sustainability across the United States.
Chambers USA said it recognized Nixon Peabody “for renewed dedication to sustainability, taking a holistic approach that includes pro bono, philanthropy, internal initiatives, community efforts, and client work.” “In the last year [Nixon Peabody] pledged the highest amount to the Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy initiative, created reporting standards for ESG and continued their community solar project, originally launched by two equity partners,” according to Chambers USA.
Through Nixon Peabody’s Legally Green® framework—established more than 15 years ago and led by partner and Environmental Team co-Leader Alison Torbitt—Nixon Peabody facilitates a focus on sustainability both internally and externally. Internally, the cross-functional team of Alison, Robyn Churchill (Operations), Sarah Ragland (Compliance) and Carmala King (Procurement) achieve green building LEED certification for all renovated offices, including the revered platinum certification for the Washington DC office. The team also tracks Nixon Peabody’s carbon footprint and helps implement energy, water, and carbon savings across the firm.
Externally, the firm’s attorneys help advise established, nonprofit, and start-up clients in a range of areas to facilitate a positive impact on their environment and community through identification of sustainability-focused solutions and coordination with potential partners. For instance, our attorneys leverage green bonds and tax credits to help clients create sustainable residential and public-works projects, and provide pro bono legal work for sustainability-focused nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and incubators to facilitate their success now and in the future. Nixon Peabody also advises clients on carbon reporting, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, product labeling issues, clean technology and green building, and material, water, and waste reuse.
In addition to Nixon Peabody’s commitment to Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, Nixon Peabody also collaborates with the firm’s nonprofit affiliate, New Partners Community Solar, to facilitate and finance solar rooftop installations that generate clean energy and utility bill credits for low-income families. New Partners Community Solar was co-founded by senior counsels Jeffrey Lesk and Herbert Stevens.
Alison also serves on the board of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, a nonprofit that Nixon Peabody helped form, which shares and encourages sustainability-minded practices across law firms, motivating positive impact over competition. Additionally, Robyn serves as an advisor to the organization.
Click here to learn more about Nixon Peabody’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
