Grand Prize & People’s Choice Winner
"Being awarded the inaugural Smokeball Beacon Award for pro bono work is a humbling honor. I am filled with gratitude towards Smokeball for their support over the past eight years."
Chlece Walker-Neal-Murray
Share your pro bono work!
If you or someone you know is doing amazing pro bono work, we’d love to hear about it. Submit for the Beacon Guiding Light, a monthly spotlight on a Smokeball client making a positive impact on their clients and community.
Submit a Guiding LightBeacon Award Prizes
All winners will receive a Smokeball Beacon gift bag, representation on Smokeball’s website, and:
- One (1) Grand Prize Winner: a $2,500 check and a $2,500 donation to the civil legal service provider of their choosing
- One (1) People’s Choice Winner: one year of tailored coffee from Mistobox and a personalized Yeti tumbler
- Five (5) Honorable Mentions: a one-year subscription to the mindfulness app Headspace and pro wireless earbuds
Beacon Award Eligibility
The Beacon is Smokeball’s community award, reserved for Smokeball clients working pro bono cases in the United States. We wish we could recognize every firm making a difference in their community and thank every legal professional for creating and inspiring positive change.
Submission Guidelines
Submissions for the 2023 Beacon Award closed on June 21. If you or someone you know is doing amazing pro bono work, we’d love to hear about it. Submit for the Beacon Guiding Light, a monthly spotlight on a Smokeball client doing amazing things for their clients and community.
Submit NowJudging Panel
Ruchie Chadha (she/her)
President, Smokeball
Leads Smokeball US using her 15+ years of experience as a family law attorney and firm owner. Ruchie is dedicated to pro bono work and community partnerships.
Jessica Bednarz (she/her)
Director of Legal Services & the Profession, Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
Before joining IAALS, Jessica worked on a wide range of access to justice issues, including overseeing the Chicago Bar Foundation’s legal incubator program, the Justice Entrepreneurs Project, and launching Legal Entrepreneurs for Justice. She’s also the Co-Founder of A Different Practice.
Javier Rodriguez-Martin (he/him)
Director of Client Training, Smokeball
Manages Smokeball's exceptional client training team and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council. Javier is passionate about creating safe, thriving communities.
Alison Lupel (she/her)
Director of Account Management, Smokeball
Leads Smokeball's amazing account management team, using her experience as a real estate lawyer to ensure our clients receive the best possible service. Alison is passionate about community having served as a Cook County Public Guardian and high school coach of an award-winning mock trial team.