Smokeball Runs Race Judicata for CASA

On Thursday, September 13, a majority of Smokeball’s Chicago office participated in Chicago’s annual Race Judicata to benefit Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. Smokeball showed up ready to run and walk with their bright orange racing shirts, and the team raised additional money to donate to the Cook County chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). The race gets its pun name straight from a first-year civil procedure class; res judicata is the Latin term indicating that a matter has already been decided and cannot be pursued again. However, Race Judicata has everyone in attendance pursuing the same thing each year – fully-funded volunteer legal services.

This was Smokeball’s second straight year participating in the race, which is tailored to legal industry professionals and raises money to benefit access to justice and to support legal volunteers making a difference for those in their community. Smokeball this year sponsored a tent space and passed out race swag, informational materials, and CASA pamphlets. The big hit of the evening was Smokeball-labeled mini Gatorades.

Smokeball’s “less stress, more success” campaign resonated with the crowd coming to the table to grab free string backpacks and stress balls. The stress balls especially made most lawyers and law firm staff coming to the table exclaim, “there’s plenty of stress in what we do, so these are great!”

While race results were yet to be posted as of the publishing of this post, Smokeball was well aware of which team member was Smokeball’s #1. Salesman and attorney Mike Skelly crossed the finish line first for Team Smokeball with an impressive estimated time of about 24 minutes. The time was even more impressive given the crowded narrow route through Lincoln Park. “It was a great time,” Mike said. “It was great to run for some terrific causes, and really fun to see the whole Chicago legal community come together.”

Smokeball chose to add CASA to its T-Shirts, tent, and fundraising for this year’s Race Judicata. Smokeball and CASA have had a close relationship in the past, but the two organizations look forward to working together even more to support the Chicago-area legal community. Taryn Mohnsen, Smokeball’s head of marketing enablement and its main liaison to CASA, outlined the importance of the cause and why Smokeball is so solidly behind it: “The importance of working with CASA is to bring awareness to our community, as the children in the foster program need a larger voice to advocate for them, especially in court. No child should ever be under a roof where there is neglect or abuse.” In the coming week, Smokeball will be pleased to present CASA with about $800 raised from the race.

Smokeball and its entire staff had a wonderful time with the legal community at Race Judicata. We look forward to racing for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services and CASA, passing out great swag, and talking to lawyers and their staff at the event for many years to come.