Zazove was presented with the award on June 19 by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at its 139th Annual Meeting held at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.
Specifically, Zazove was recognized for three decades worth of professional and dedicated work focusing on low-income and senior populations in central and southern Illinois.
The Joseph R. Bartylak Memorial Legal Services Award was named in memory of former Executive Director of Land of Lincoln and ISBA member Joe Bartylak. The award honors the commitment and dedication of a civil legal services attorney who provides the highest caliber of compassionate legal representation to Illinois’ low-income population.
She has worked for equal access to justice in a variety of ways at the local, state and national level.
Zazove began her career with Land of Lincoln in 1980. She represented clients in domestic violence and Social Security cases.
During her tenure with Land of Lincoln, she filed or co-counseled nine successful class actions.
Zazove also served as director of development before she was promoted to deputy director of program operations. She also served on numerous committees and boards during her legal aid career.
Even though she is retired, Zazove will continue to working on updating technology for Land of Lincoln through the end of 2015.
Susan M. Simone, director of litigation and advocacy, and Susan Zielke, managing attorney of the eastern regional office, jointly nominated Zazove for the award.
“Throughout more than 30 years in legal services, Linda has used her exceptional advocacy and administrative skills to tirelessly advance the interests of the poor and disabled. We knew Mr. Bartylak and cannot imagine a more fitting recipient for the award named in his honor,” Simone and Zielke stated in a press release.
Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation provides free civil legal services to low-income persons and senior citizens in 65 counties in central and southern Illinois.