HOUSTON – AZA is ranked by the popular career guide Vault among the nation’s top midsize law firms to work for and among the top 4 midsize firms in Texas, based on surveys of law firm associates. 

The trial firm ranked No. 4 overall among Texas firms its size. It was No. 13 nationally for the best midsized firms to work for. AZA also ranked No. 6 in satisfaction, No. 8 in quality of work, No. 9 in compensation and No. 10 in firm culture.    

Vault’s national rankings of the most prestigious law firms are based on the assessments of lawyers at peer firms. This year, more than 20,000 associates rated the reputations of firms other than their own. The 2023 rankings are derived from Vault’s Annual Associate Survey conducted from March 2022 through May 2022. 

 What Vault said about AZA: 

“AZA might be small, but don’t underestimate this firm, because it is also mighty. A true litigation boutique, AZA is a powerhouse of a trial firm—and its lawyers want to win. Candidates who want to work here need to show that they share that sentiment; stellar credentials are important, but equally so is a true desire to try cases. Grit and determination are some of the qualities the firm prizes, so candidates should be prepared to demonstrate them in interviews. The firm’s culture is a big selling point for associates, who describe it as very social and filled with different personality types. “ 

Here are some of the comments from associates: 

  • On quality of work –   
  • “There is nowhere to get more ownership or front-line experience than this firm.” 
  • “I spend essentially zero hours on busy work. The firm has far too much work for associates to waste time spinning their wheels on tasks that are not substantive. ” 
  • On firm culture –   
  • “We’re here to win cases. That’s the only thing that matters at this firm—none of the other typical big firm nonsense applies.” 
  • “At a recent all hands meeting, a partner told us why he is insistent that the ENTIRE case team (from secretary to senior partner) is copied on emails because ‘you never know where the next great idea is going to come from.’ That pretty much sums up the culture here—even new attorneys are encouraged, even expected, to contribute their ideas when deciding on case strategy.” 
  • On associate/partner relations –  
  • “Partners are very respectful to associates and expect associates to contribute to trial strategy from day one. There is no insight into firm performance and finances, and there is mixed transparency on partnership track and outlook.” 

AZA 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 is recognized by Chambers USA 2022 among the best in Texas commercial law and intellectual property; by U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms as one of the country’s best commercial litigation firms for 10 years running; has been named Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer three times including for 2021; and was previously dubbed by Law360 a Texas Powerhouse law firm.