We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 winners of Smokeball’s Beacon Award. These community heroes have changed lives through their commitment to pro bono work and free legal services.

Beacon Award Winners

Najla Abu-Shaaban, Abu-Shaaban & Associates

As an immigration attorney, Najla is recognized with the Beacon Award for her transformative legal advocacy and deep commitment to community impact. Her work has reunited over 150 families, helped launch dozens of small businesses—which have created over 800 jobs in Stafford, TX—and secured legal status for professionals who now fill vital roles in healthcare, education, and beyond. Najla dedicates 150+ hours annually to pro bono services, ensuring justice is accessible to the most vulnerable. Smokeball honors her with the Beacon Award for challenging systemic injustices, educating the public, and using the legal system to build bridges between communities.

Jim Fine, Roosevelt University Legal Clinic

In June 2024, Jim opened and now directs the Roosevelt University Legal Clinic (RULC). He conceived this clinic to provide low- and no-cost legal services to Cook and Lake County residents. The program has already served more than 150 clients with estate plans, probate matters, setting up LLCs, landlord-tenant issues, small claims advising, name changes, and family law matters. RULC assists underserved populations, including immigrants and LGBTQ students, while providing invaluable real-world training for aspiring paralegals. While Jim works as a full-time professor, he additionally dedicates about 30 hours/week to clinic tasks. Smokeball honors him with the Beacon Award for his unwavering dedication to accessible legal services and hands-on student education.

Continuing to recognize pro bono excellence

Alongside Najla and Jim, we celebrate the work of three 2025 honorable mentions: David Floyd, Anabel Rosa, and Inner Banks Legal Services.

David Floyd is part of the Dallas Bar Association's Entrepreneurs in Community Lawyering Program, which helps lawyers start solo practices that cater to everyday people. As part of the program, he's already completed over 150 hours of pro bono work and taken on several pro bono cases.

For the last five years, Anabel Rosa has organized free citizenship clinics which save participants an average of $1,500 per client. Additionally, she provides monthly free legal counseling and connects Spanish-speaking clients with attorneys to solve housing, discrimination, and other legal issues.

Inner Banks Legal Services is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit law firm working to bridge the justice gap in Eastern North Carolina. Their staff provide hundreds of hours of pro bono legal services annually.  

We’re grateful to everyone who’s creating and inspiring positive change in their communities. If you or someone you know is doing amazing pro bono work, we’d love to hear about it for the 2025 Beacon Award.