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Kathryn E. Zenoff: Justice and good
By None
ROCKFORD WOMAN
Dec 20, 2007 @ 01:00 AM
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Born and raised in Chicago in a family where most everyone was a lawyer and education and community service were the norm, Zenoff got a law degree in New York, moved to Chicago and Rockford when her husband made career moves. They raised two children in Rockford and “never regretted for one second our decision to move here 27 years ago.” First judgeship 12 years ago.
Age: 61
City of residence: Rockford
Family: Husband, Arthur, pediatric surgeon. Daughter, a lawyer in New York City. Son, a student at Stanford Law School.
Education: Graduated cum laude from Stanford University; J.D. degree from Columbia University, New York City.
Career: Practiced law in New York and Chicago from 1971-1981. Moved to Rockford in 1981; was a deputy state’s attorney 13 years. Helped develop what became the Carrie Lynn Center.
Appointed associate judge in 1995 and circuit judge in 1998, then elected. Elected by colleagues to be chief judge of the 17th Circuit in 2004. It was the first time a woman was a full circuit judge or chief judge in this circuit.
Since May, I have been an appellate court justice. I review civil and criminal cases that are appealed from trial courts of the Second Appellate District. Three of us handle each case, which can range from termination of parental rights to a sentence of life in prison for murder.
What’s most rewarding:
Being a judge is a job with a strong intellectual component as well as the opportunity to touch people’s lives and make a difference.
Gender obstacles:
When I graduated from law school, it wasn’t very common for women to be lawyers. In job interviews, I was asked what I was going to do once I married and had children. I interviewed with one firm in New York that liked my credentials but said they weren’t hiring women. But you find another path to fulfilling your goal.
Role models:
My father, A.J. Zenoff, who dedicated himself to the law. He served clients in the fullest sense, whether with business matters or to counsel them on personal matters such as saving their marriage.
My mother, Dorothy, not a lawyer or even a college graduate, conveyed to me the importance of education, setting high goals and believing I could achieve them. She also showed me, by example, the importance of giving back to the community.
My aunt, Esther Rothstein, an attorney who dedicated herself to upholding the values of professionalism and civility. She was unafraid of being ahead of her time but she never ruffled any feathers. She received a prestigious award from the American Bar Association Commission on Women, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg was also selected. They met at the award ceremony and struck up a friendship, such that they continued to correspond by letter and telephone. When Judge Ginsburg was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice, she mentioned my aunt in her acceptance speech.
And my younger brother, Alan. I practiced law with him and our father in Chicago. Alan has been a role model for me in his dedication to achieving excellence in every aspect of his practice and in his unmatched work ethic. We talk almost daily, still.
Do different:
I am blessed to be fulfilled in my work, and as a wife of 35 years and mother of two loving, yet strongly independent children.
Community:
Facilitated countywide funding referendum for Children’s Advocacy Project so we would have a coordinated response to child sexual abuse cases; Kids’ Place, a supervised children’s waiting room in the courthouse to spare children the trauma of courtroom events; and one of the first mental health courts in Illinois. Spearheaded pilot project in 17th Circuit on professionalism and civility. Helped set up legal Self-Help Center in the Winnebago County Courthouse, Juror Appreciation Week, formal intern/extern program for law students. Have served as member of boards of Rockford College, Girl Scouts, other organizations. Won YWCA Marcella Harris Award for Community Service, Athena Award for Effective Women Leaders, Illinois State Medical Auxiliary Humanitarian Award, Chamber of Commerce Forward Rockford Award and others.
I would like to be remembered:
As a person who cared enough about those around me and the community in which I live to make a difference in people’s lives and the quality of life in general.
Ways to relax:
Swim, take walks, talk with good friends.
What you don’t get time to do:
Read novels.
The future:
My children happily married and an opportunity to enjoy grandchildren in a world of peace.
