HOUSTON - AZA associates responding to the Vault Annual Associate Survey praised the firm for quality of significant work, a collegial atmosphere and an egalitarian work environment.  

  

Vault is a national organization that offers young lawyers career guidance and industry insights. Each year it conducts anonymous surveys of law firm associates to get a picture of what it’s really like to work there.  

  

“We hire high achievers and hard workers and trust them with significant work immediately,” said John Zavitsanos, AZA managing partner. “We also value mutual trust and respect for co-workers and are pleased to see our associates have found us to be successful in creating a great place to work and thrive as trial lawyers.”  

  

As one AZA associate put it: “The best things are the quality of work, the independence, the opportunities to take on significant responsibility and learn by doing, and the collegial, egalitarian work environment.” 

  

Some of the select comments from the associate survey include:  

  

Camaraderie  

  • “Camaraderie permeates office settings, and coworkers are respectful and friendly. Partners value associates’ input and rely on their work, giving them early opportunities in court.”   
  • “One of the most defining features of AZA is the camaraderie amongst the employees. The firm adamantly encourages social interactions between partners, associates, staff, visitors, clients, and everyone else.”  

  

Significant work  

  • “Substantive assignments from day one, and it is all appropriate for my level. The firm does a great job of giving young associates challenging work to expand their abilities.”  
  • “I have been given amazing opportunities at AZA that almost none of my peers can match.”  

  

Firm Culture  

  • “The culture is accepting, outspoken and unconventional. Lawyers socialize together frequently, and there is no strong sense of hierarchy. Lawyers and staff interact frequently, both over email and face-to-face. The staff is part of the team and commands considerable respect.”  

  

Partners  

  • “The partners value the associates, rely on their work and decision-making and treat them with incredible respect.”  
  • “Partners care very deeply about associate input on cases. The best ideas win out on cases here, regardless of who they come from.”  
  •   
  •    

Career Outlook  

  • “I feel like my future is bright. It is not impossible to make partner at AZA, and it's not a requirement, either. There are other roles for senior associates, such as senior counsel.”   

  

Diversity  

  • “There is a strong commitment to diversity here. And not just in hiring but making sure that actual trial roles and responsibilities are given to those we hire.”  

  

AZA, or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, is a Houston-based law firm that is home to true courtroom lawyers with a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation, including energy, healthcare, intellectual property and business dispute cases. AZA was recognized again by Chambers USA 2025 as among the best in Texas in commercial law and intellectual property; the firm has been listed by Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms as one of the country’s best commercial litigation firms for 13 years; has been named Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer three times; and was previously dubbed a Texas Powerhouse law firm by Law360.