HOUSTON – A bet-the-company arbitration resulted in dismissal of claims against AZA’s client, the founder and majority member of a nine-figure business, in a case that totaled $80.8 million in liability.
AZA’s client was also awarded attorneys’ fees in the ruling over contract and fraud accusations by a minority member claiming unpaid distributions spanning nearly a decade as well as certain veto rights over company decisions.
The law firm’s deep dive into the client’s decades of records played a key role in establishing the legitimacy of the client’s financial practices. The arbitrator found no credible evidence to support the claims against AZA’s client, discrediting the opposing expert’s testimony following a sharp cross-examination by AZA partner Jason McManis.
Before the final hearing, AZA secured the withdrawal of several claims totaling more than $40 million arising from a buyout dispute. The remaining contract and fraud claims totaling $40.82 million were denied following the arbitration hearing.
Lead lawyer and partner Shahmeer Halepota said the legal team effort was exemplary, with significant contributions from senior attorneys Matt Davis and Ethan Carlyle and associate Matthew Micik.
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.