HOUSTON – Five of AZA’s top patent litigators were named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Global IP Lawyers 2026 list, which Lawdragon describes as “lawyers protecting innovation, defending brand integrity and leveraging the assets at the heart of their clients’ businesses.” 

Those named are partners Jason McManis, Warren McCarty and Weining Bai and associates Louis Liao and Colin Phillips. 

This is the second year for Lawdragon’s list focusing on global intellectual property leaders. It is also the second year on the list for most of AZA’s honorees. Lawdragon said the guide was developed through editorial research and nominations. 

Mr. McManis, head of AZA’s intellectual property group, was named again for his expertise in IP litigation, patent litigation, trade secret litigation and patent infringement. He has also been named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America and Lawdragon’s 500 X – The Next Generation. He has been rated for intellectual property work by Chambers USA, named one of the best by international group IAM IP and honored by The Best Lawyers in America and Texas Rising Stars. 

Mr. McCarty, who this year joined AZA’s Dallas office as its managing partner, was on this list for the first time. He was cited for his expertise in IP litigation, patent litigation, trade secret litigation and patent infringement. He has been named to other award lists, including Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Texas Rising Stars and by IAM IP.  

Mr. Bai was named again this year for IP litigation, patent litigation, trade secret litigation and patent infringement. He has been honored by Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and Texas Rising Stars. 

Mr. Liao was again named for expertise in IP litigation, patent litigation and trade secret litigation. He has also been honored by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and Texas Rising Stars. 

Mr. Phillips again was cited by Lawdragon for his work in IP litigation, patent litigation and patent licensing. He has previously been on the Texas Rising Stars list. 

Houston and Dallas trial boutique Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing, or AZA, has earned repeated recognition from Chambers USA 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 dubbed a Texas Powerhouse law firm by Law360