Phil Lenzini represents, as General Counsel, over 200 public libraries throughout the State of Illinois and the Illinois Heartland Library System and assists with the legal needs of local governments, including cities, school districts, and park districts. He is an experienced appellate advocate practicing in the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Appellate Court, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Phil began his legal career at Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, P.C. as an Associate in 1976 and became a Member of the Firm in 1982. In August 2022, the attorneys of Kavanagh Scully joined with Heyl Royster bringing additional expertise and focus on business matters, local government, and transactional areas.

Before attending law school, Phil served with the United States Army. A decorated Viet Nam veteran, Phil has been awarded two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and the Air Combat Medal, among other decorations. Phil received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Philosophy and Math from Southern Illinois University in 1972. He received his Juris Doctor in the charter class of Southern Illinois University School of Law in 1976.

Phil is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association. He has served on many of the State Bar's committees and section councils through his tenure, including the Local Governmental Section Council and the Government Lawyers' Standing Committee. He has lobbied members of the State Legislature on areas of interest for his clients. Phil is an active member of the Peoria County Bar Association, having won the 2015 Public Servant Award for his years of service to Illinois Libraries, Municipalities, Schools, Park, Police and Fire Districts. Additionally, he has served for over a decade in the Assembly of Delegates of the ISBA, participating in dozens of its committees, section councils, and task forces.

A regular presenter to numerous Illinois State Library Institutes, the Illinois Library Association's Annual State conventions, the Illinois Association of Park Districts State Convention and Annual Legal Symposia, and dozens of continuing education programs for various library systems, Phil remains dedicated and active in many community organizations.

• "Legal Ethics and the Public Official," Illinois Bar Journal, Vol. 79, p. 24 (1991)
• "The "Administrative Ready Reference" forms, documentation and articles for the Illinois Secretary of State, State Librarian’s website
• “Illinois Tax-Supported Public Libraries,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Special Districts, Practice Handbook, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2022 Editions
• "Trustee Facts File," Ill. State Library, Ch. 17 Illinois Public Libraries and the Law, 2d Edition (1997)

• Bronze Star with "V" Device, Viet Nam, 1969
• Bronze Star, Meritorious Service, Viet Nam, 1969
• Purple Heart, 1969, Combat Infantryman Badge 1968-69
• Illinois Library Luminary, August 2017, Illinois Library Association
• Southern Illinois University School of Law Alumni Assn. - Alumnus of the Year, 1989
• Southern Illinois University School of Law - Alumni Achievement Award, 1993

• Appellate Lawyers Association
• Court Counseling Program, Incorporated
• Illinois State Bar Association
  • Illinois White House Library Conference Delegate
• Peoria County Bar Association
• Southern Illinois School of Law Alumni Association

• State Courts of Illinois
• Unites States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
• United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
• Unites States Supreme Court

• Children’s Home Association
• Harrison Youth Center
• Peoria South, Inc.
• Youth Service Network of Peoria