We were sad to learn that our friend, former partner, and civil rights advocate Sharon Malheiro passed away. We extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and everyone who loved Sharon.

Sharon was an exceptional lawyer, leader, trailblazer, and person.

Sharon was proudly stubborn, making her an excellent champion for her clients over a 30-year career. In the office, she was inclusive before it was a buzzword. During her tenure as Firm president from 2010-2012, the firm was named the number one mid-sized workplace in Iowa, in recognition of a commitment to an excellent work environment, and support of the work/life balance of employees.

Sharon consistently fought for those lacking a voice in the justice system and her advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community is unparalleled. Her work is demonstrated in cases affecting the civil rights of Iowans including Alons v. Woodbury County, which upheld a district court decision dissolving the Vermont civil union of a same-sex couple. She served as an expert witness in Varnum v. Brien, a landmark case declaring the Iowa Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, and Planned Parenthood v. Iowa Board of Medicine, establishing a fundamental right to abortion through telemedicine allowing access to medical services for Iowa citizens in rural communities. She represented a retired police officer and veteran whose service dog was taken away by the city for violation of a breed-specific ban, resulting in the first federal court decision that found such bans violate disability laws. Sharon also served as co-counsel in Gartner v. Iowa Department of Public Health, which ruled Iowa parents in same-sex marriages must be allowed to have both of their names listed on their child’s birth certificate, consistent with Iowa’s spousal presumption of parentage.

Her community involvement was vast, serving on the Drake University Law School Board of Counselors as well as the boards of directors of Employee and Family Resources; the Family Futures Network, a daycare for homeless children; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa; and Polk County Women Attorneys.

In 2005, Sharon founded One Iowa, a statewide organization seeking full equality for LGBTQ Iowans, and was most recently the Board Emeritus for the One Iowa board. She also provided pro bono legal counsel for the AIDS Project of Central Iowa and is one of the cooperating attorneys for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Numerous organizations recognized Sharon for her role in fighting for justice in Iowa, her list of awards and accolades is long and well-deserved. The list of people who respected her is even longer.

When available, we will share upcoming arrangements to honor her memory and her legacy.

Photo: Jami Milne for dsm magazine

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