About
Managing Partner: John Zavitsanos
Number of partners: 8
Number of lawyers: 50
Languages: Arabic (some), Bengali, Cantonese, English, Farsi, French, Greek, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu/Hindi
Firm Overview:
AZA is home to true courtroom lawyers who provide a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation and intellectual property disputes. Often called in to court on the eve of trial, among other areas AZA focuses on energy, patents, business disputes, trade secrets, non-competes and corporate investigations. This lean boutique offers efficient, top grade legal advice. AZA was named First-Tier in Commercial Litigation in Houston by US News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America. In US surveys of corporate counsel, AZA has been cited both for being an ‘awesome opponent’ in court and for excellent client service.
Main Areas of Practice:
Complex Commercial Litigation:
Clients call AZA when the stakes are high. AZA’s eight partners have tried hundreds of cases, most of them commercial matters representing Fortune 1,000 companies, including extensive work in the energy industry. The firm handles all types of commercial cases, from breach of contract, warranty, indemnity, construction, real estate and business tort lawsuits to shareholder oppression, partnership and fiduciary litigation. Many AZA clients are former adversaries. Nine firm lawyers have been named among the top attorneys in the nation by US News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America. Five firm partners are Board-Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. AZA is regularly hired on the eve of trial.
One Example: An oilfield supplier facing more than $35 million in exposure hired AZA shortly before trial. After getting the case continued, AZA filed a counterclaim. Nine months later, AZA’s opponent ended up paying the firm’s client a multimillion-dollar cash settlement.
Key Clients: AZA commercial litigation clients include Plains All American Pipeline in all types of energy related commercial litigation; CITGO in a variety of energy litigation; Air Liquide in all types of commercial litigation.
Contact: John Zavitsanos
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Tim Shelby
Email: [email protected]
Intellectual Property:
‘This Houston trial boutique dazzles in patent infringement cases across the United States and beyond,’ wrote IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2017 in ranking AZA among the best Texas patent litigation firms for the third year in a row.
AZA lawyers have experienced great success representing clients in IP and IP-related cases throughout the world, including Europe, Asia and the Middle East. They regularly handle patent infringement, trademark, copyright and trade secret cases. Languages spoken by IP team members include Arabic (some), Cantonese, Farsi, French, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu/Hindi.
AZA patent lawyers have experience in numerous industry sectors including energy, technology, chemistry, biochemistry, telecom, hardware and software, and transportation. They have had success representing both plaintiffs and defendants in IP cases.
AZA’s IP stable includes experienced trial lawyers and lawyers with technical backgrounds in chemistry, electrical engineering, software and biochemistry. The AZA IP team has more than 15 lawyers. Included are three-board certified trial lawyers and several lawyers licensed as patent attorneys before the US Patent and Trademark Office and several with extensive Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) experience.
Contact: Jason McManis
Email: [email protected]
Trade Secrets/ Covenant Not to Compete:
AZA is nationally recognized in covenant not to compete and trade secret litigation through work for numerous energy, technology and financial companies. AZA secured a unanimous defense verdict in a high profile, $30 million trade secret lawsuit in Houston after being called in on the eve of trial.
Key Clients: AZA trade secret/covenant not to compete clients include Mistras Group, successful defense in trade secrets case; and A&B Valve and Supply (A&B), successful defense in nationally publicized case filed by National Oilwell Varco, which then hired AZA to represent the company in two trade secret cases.
Contact: Joseph Ahmad
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Todd Mensing
Email: [email protected]
Clients:
AAA Life Insurance Company; Air Liquide America; Airgas; Altus Healthcare; Aon Risk Services; American Automobile Association; Anadarko; Apache Corp.; Chevron; CITGO; Contango; Cosentino; Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Eastern Orthodox Church; Enbridge Inc.; Enterprise Products; Francesca’s; Genuine Parts Company; GreyStar Corporation; Group 1 Automotive Inc.; Harris County; Holloman; Huntsman; Key Energy; Liberty Mutual; LoJack; Lyondell Chemical Company; The Lancaster Hotel; Mi-Jack Products Inc.; Mistras Inc.; MJMC Inc.; Millennium Interests; Motion Industries Inc.; National Oilwell Varco; Nevada Gold & Casinos Inc.; NAPA Auto Parts; NiSource; Noble Energy Inc.; NRG Energy; NuStar; Penspen; Plains All American Pipeline L.P.; Port of Houston; Prime Natural Resources Inc.; PSC, LLC; Ramex Inc.; Sheridan Healthcare Inc.; St. James Capital Partners L.P.; Technip FMC; US Energy Corp.; Versata Inc.; Weatherford International; ZT Wealth. 72157
Ranked Offices
Provided by Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing
- HoustonOne Houston Center, Suite 2500, 1221 Mckinney Street, Houston, Texas, USA, TX 77010
- Web: www.azalaw.com
- Tel: +1 713 655 1101
- Fax: +1 713 655 0062
- View ranked office
Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
126 items provided by Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing
Thirteen AZA Attorneys Earn Texas Rising Stars Honor
AZA's young attorneys awarded.
AZA Co-founders Ahmad and Zavitsanos Named Lawdragon Leading Lawyers in America
Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos lamed leading lawyers in United States
Cameron Byrd, Nathan Campbell, Jordan Warshauer and Kelsi Stayart White have been named partners at the trial and appellate boutique AZA.
Jury Finds for Female Firefighter in Revenge Porn Case
AZA gets jury verdict for former female firefighter's mental anguish.
Jury Refuses to Find Against Odessa Pumps; Awards It $2.4 Million
AZA's client was sued and the plaintiff took nothing but the AZA client was awarded $2.4 million in fees.
AZA Named for 12th Year to List of Best Law Firms
Clients praised AZA winning its 12th year on the Best Law Firm list.
Jury Awards AZA Client Mid Main $32.5 Million in Midtown Construction Case
Texas law firm AZA wins millions in counterclaims for client who was sued
Bancorp Sued for Forcing Pricey, Secret Insurance on Houston Apartment Complex
Houston's AZA sued Bancorp on behalf of Houston business for improper forced-placed insurance
Ten AZA Lawyers Make 2023 Super Lawyers List; Two are Top in Texas
Houston boutique trial firm AZA gets 10 lawyers on Texas Super Lawyers list.
Nine AZA Lawyers Named 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators
National list of leading litigators includes nine from AZA
Texas Lawyer Honors AZA on Watch List for Diversity and Appellate Practice
AZA was awarded both for its amazing new appellate practice and its firm diversity by the Texas legal media.
AZA Wins Dismissal of California Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against International Energy Company
A federal judge in California granted summary judgment for an international energy company represented by AZA in a $10 million offshore platform wrongful death case.
Twenty-Six AZA Lawyers Honored as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Twenty-six AZA lawyers, more than half of all the attorneys in the litigation boutique, were honored in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the nation’s oldest peer review guide to leading lawyers.
Jason McManis Recognized for Intellectual Property Litigation Prowess by Benchmark Litigation
Head of AZA's patent and IP practice Jason McManis wins another award.
Three AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon’s Next Generation of 500 Leading Lawyers in America
AZA lawyers Weining Bai, Jason McManis and Kelsi Stayart White were named to “Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation” list of leading lawyers in America.
AZA Wins Appeal for Energy Sector Company at U.S. Fifth Circuit
AZA helps energy company with win over engineer's FLSA lawsuit.
AZA Again Named a Top Texas Patent Trial Firm by Prestigious International IP Guide
AZA and lawyers Jason McManis and Todd Mensing all recognized by IAM IP.
AZA Wins Three Trials in Just Two Weeks in May
AZA has already tried 11 cases to verdict or decision in 2023. We have the power of being trial ready for trial or for settlement.
AZA Client Wins Multimillion Arbitration Award for Breach of Contract
AZA helped investment advisory firm win $3.4 Million
AZA Wins Take-Nothing Judgment for Fuel Company
AZA defeated a $5 million breach of contract claim for energy sector client
Thirteen AZA Attorneys Earn Texas Rising Stars Honor
Younger lawyers at AZA continue to be recognized with awards
Texas jury returns nearly $9M verdict in conspiracy against energy giant
AZA won yet another jury trial. This was a trade secret theft case for an international energy sector giant.
Ten AZA Lawyers Ranked among US Best for Commercial, Intellectual Property, Appellate and Personal I
AZA's top lawyers once again recognized for their expertise by national award group in U.S.
Seven Young AZA Lawyers Ranked among Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2023
Once again, a good group of young AZA lawyers is recognized for their expertise.
Joe Ahmad Named to Lawdragon’s List of 500 Top Corporate Employment Lawyers
AZA co-founder Joe Ahmad wins another national award for his executive employment practice.
AZA Represents Ben & Jerry’s in International Lawsuit Against British-based Parent Company
This famous confection company interviewed a lot of law firm and picked the trial lawyers at AZA for this international case.
Texas Lawyer Magazine Yet Again Names AZA Litigation Department of the Year
For the third time AZA is named best boutique sized litigation firm in Texas by the state legal news.
Vault’s 2023 Career Guide Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in U.S. & Top 4 in Texas
Once again AZA is rated as a great place to work by it's associates and it came in high on a national survey.
John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon’s 500 Top Plaintiff Financial Lawyers List
AZA's John Zavitsanos has been named yet again to a national list of the best trial U.S. lawyers.
AZA Wins for Healthcare Clients Earn Top Verdict Rankings in Texas, US
Once again AZA makes the national and state top verdict lists.
Thirteen AZA Attorneys Earn Texas Rising Stars Honor
AZA's young attorneys awarded.
AZA Co-founders Ahmad and Zavitsanos Named Lawdragon Leading Lawyers in America
Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos lamed leading lawyers in United States
Cameron Byrd, Nathan Campbell, Jordan Warshauer and Kelsi Stayart White have been named partners at the trial and appellate boutique AZA.
Jury Finds for Female Firefighter in Revenge Porn Case
AZA gets jury verdict for former female firefighter's mental anguish.
Jury Refuses to Find Against Odessa Pumps; Awards It $2.4 Million
AZA's client was sued and the plaintiff took nothing but the AZA client was awarded $2.4 million in fees.
AZA Named for 12th Year to List of Best Law Firms
Clients praised AZA winning its 12th year on the Best Law Firm list.
Jury Awards AZA Client Mid Main $32.5 Million in Midtown Construction Case
Texas law firm AZA wins millions in counterclaims for client who was sued
Bancorp Sued for Forcing Pricey, Secret Insurance on Houston Apartment Complex
Houston's AZA sued Bancorp on behalf of Houston business for improper forced-placed insurance
Ten AZA Lawyers Make 2023 Super Lawyers List; Two are Top in Texas
Houston boutique trial firm AZA gets 10 lawyers on Texas Super Lawyers list.
Nine AZA Lawyers Named 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators
National list of leading litigators includes nine from AZA
Texas Lawyer Honors AZA on Watch List for Diversity and Appellate Practice
AZA was awarded both for its amazing new appellate practice and its firm diversity by the Texas legal media.
AZA Wins Dismissal of California Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against International Energy Company
A federal judge in California granted summary judgment for an international energy company represented by AZA in a $10 million offshore platform wrongful death case.
Twenty-Six AZA Lawyers Honored as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Twenty-six AZA lawyers, more than half of all the attorneys in the litigation boutique, were honored in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the nation’s oldest peer review guide to leading lawyers.
Jason McManis Recognized for Intellectual Property Litigation Prowess by Benchmark Litigation
Head of AZA's patent and IP practice Jason McManis wins another award.
Three AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon’s Next Generation of 500 Leading Lawyers in America
AZA lawyers Weining Bai, Jason McManis and Kelsi Stayart White were named to “Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation” list of leading lawyers in America.
AZA Wins Appeal for Energy Sector Company at U.S. Fifth Circuit
AZA helps energy company with win over engineer's FLSA lawsuit.
AZA Again Named a Top Texas Patent Trial Firm by Prestigious International IP Guide
AZA and lawyers Jason McManis and Todd Mensing all recognized by IAM IP.
AZA Wins Three Trials in Just Two Weeks in May
AZA has already tried 11 cases to verdict or decision in 2023. We have the power of being trial ready for trial or for settlement.
AZA Client Wins Multimillion Arbitration Award for Breach of Contract
AZA helped investment advisory firm win $3.4 Million
AZA Wins Take-Nothing Judgment for Fuel Company
AZA defeated a $5 million breach of contract claim for energy sector client
Thirteen AZA Attorneys Earn Texas Rising Stars Honor
Younger lawyers at AZA continue to be recognized with awards
Texas jury returns nearly $9M verdict in conspiracy against energy giant
AZA won yet another jury trial. This was a trade secret theft case for an international energy sector giant.
Ten AZA Lawyers Ranked among US Best for Commercial, Intellectual Property, Appellate and Personal I
AZA's top lawyers once again recognized for their expertise by national award group in U.S.
Seven Young AZA Lawyers Ranked among Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2023
Once again, a good group of young AZA lawyers is recognized for their expertise.
Joe Ahmad Named to Lawdragon’s List of 500 Top Corporate Employment Lawyers
AZA co-founder Joe Ahmad wins another national award for his executive employment practice.
AZA Represents Ben & Jerry’s in International Lawsuit Against British-based Parent Company
This famous confection company interviewed a lot of law firm and picked the trial lawyers at AZA for this international case.
Texas Lawyer Magazine Yet Again Names AZA Litigation Department of the Year
For the third time AZA is named best boutique sized litigation firm in Texas by the state legal news.
Vault’s 2023 Career Guide Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in U.S. & Top 4 in Texas
Once again AZA is rated as a great place to work by it's associates and it came in high on a national survey.
John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon’s 500 Top Plaintiff Financial Lawyers List
AZA's John Zavitsanos has been named yet again to a national list of the best trial U.S. lawyers.
AZA Wins for Healthcare Clients Earn Top Verdict Rankings in Texas, US
Once again AZA makes the national and state top verdict lists.