Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing
USA Guide 2025
About
Managing Partner: John Zavitsanos
Number of partners: 22
Number of lawyers: 63
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 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
Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
181 items provided by Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing
The Top 10 Trial Mistakes That You Didn’t Know Were Mistakes
The Texas Lawbook published John Zavitsano's essay on mistakes to avoid that stem from the evolution of juror behavior over the last 20 years — and especially in the five years since COVID.
Jury Awards AZA Client $78.5 Million in Patent Infringement Case Against Samsung
After a five-day trial, a federal jury awarded AZA’s client Anonymous Media Research Holdings the full $78,512,999 requested from Samsung Electronics Co. for infringing on two patents.
AZA Once Again Named a National Most Feared Law Firm in Client Survey
A national survey of general counsel and top-level legal counsel consumers once again put AZA on the list of BTI Consulting’s Most Feared Law Firms.
AZA Raises Starting Salary to Exceed National Big Law Market
Houston trial boutique AZA announces it will hike its first-year lawyer salary from the market rate followed by the national Big Law firms of $225,000, up to $235,000. Second-year salaries will also climb $10,000.
AZA Co-founder Joe Ahmad Named a Lawdragon Leading Corporate Employment Lawyer 2026
HOUSTON – Name partner Joe Ahmad, co-founder of AZA, was named once again to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers list. The 2026 edition marks the third year Mr. Ahmad has been on this list. He was again cited for his expertise in executive representation.
Twenty-Five AZA Lawyers Named 2025 Texas Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Twenty-five AZA lawyers earned 2025 recognition by Texas Super Lawyers as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars for excellence, largely in business litigation, intellectual property and appellate work.
AZA Wins $140 Million Victory for Houston Bank
A former executive for Houston-based Cornerstone Capital Bank capitulated during a Harris County trial and agreed to take nothing on his $140 million demand for payment of frivolous discrimination claims.
AZA Partner Shahmeer Halepota Speaks at The United Nations
AZA partner Shahmeer Halepota served on a five-person panel at the United Nations on Sept. 11, discussing a water crisis in Pakistan and the ramifications and rights created under an international water rights treaty.
AZA Associates Praise Firm for Work & Camaraderie in Vault Survey
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.
Fourteen AZA Lawyers Named 2026 Lawdragon Leading Litigators
HOUSTON – Fourteen of AZA’s trial lawyers were recognized on The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, a list that aspires to name “the best litigators the U.S. has to offer.”
AZA Won Largest 2024 Harris County Jury Verdict in Commercial Litigation
HOUSTON – TopVerdict.com, a surveyor of the highest jury verdicts and bench awards in the nation, found AZA’s $25.9 million jury verdict for a doctor’s group was the largest Harris County 2024 verdict in three categories – commercial litigation, breach of contract and economic loss. The September
AZA Wins Class Action Certification Victory Against Hospital System Sharing Patient Information
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A Missouri judge has certified a class action lawsuit for thousands of patients whose protected health information was illegally shared with Facebook and Google by their hospital system.
AZA Partner Monica Uddin Named One of Top National Lawyers for Client Service
HOUSTON – AZA partner Monica Uddin was one of only 240 lawyers nationwide named to the BTI Client Service All-Stars. The list, compiled through a survey of corporate counsel and those who regularly use top-drawer legal services, is largely composed of lawyers at big law firms.
26 AZA Attorneys Honored as 2026 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
HOUSTON – Nearly half of all AZA lawyers were named to the 2026 The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch lists.
AZA Favorably Resolves Multi-Million Dollar Litigation for UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov
Undefeated Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts champion Khabib Nurmagomedov confidentially settled his breach of contract suit against an NFT company.
Vault’s 2026 Career Guide Again Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in Texas
Associates in the AZA Houston region rated AZA highly as did a national survey of law firm associates.
Six AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon’s 2025 500 X – The Next Generation of Leading Lawyers in America
Houston-based litigation boutique AZA or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, once again sees even its up and coming lawyers nationally recognized.
AZA Partner Shahmeer Halepota Named Rising Star by South Asian Bar Association of North America
The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) presented AZA partner Shahmeer Halepota with its Rising Star Award. He was one of only five winners of this international honor.
AZA Client Successfully Beats Back High-Stakes Claim in $80 Million Partnership Dispute
AZA wins another bet-the-company lawsuit for a client who faced eight-figure financial liability.
John Zavitsanos Again Named to The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers
John Zavitsanos, managing partner and firm co-founder, was honored yet again for a national award.
Prestigious Chambers USA Ranks AZA for 12th Year and Honors Seven Firm Lawyers
Chambers USA has once again recognized AZA's fine litigation practices and attorneys.
‘First of its Kind’ Influencer Copyright Case Dropped Against AZA Client
AZA wins a non-suit for social media influencer accused of stealing being and neutrals fashion concept
Four AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon 500 Global IP Lawyers 2025
AZA's intellectual property team is named in inaugural Lawdragon global IP list.
AZA Wins Jury Victory for KBR in $289 Million Energy Sector Breach of Contract Case
This was the second giant nine-figure verdict for an AZA trial team just this week.
AZA Defeats $123.7 Million Breach Claim in First Major Winter Storm Uri Natural Gas Jury Trial
From an industry perspective, this jury verdict answers the question identified in the Fifth Circuit’s 2024 decision Mieco v. Pioneer regarding reasonable efforts and replacement gas. It provides guidance to the industry about what producers like Marathon are reasonably expected to do.
AZA Partner Shahmeer Halepota Recognized by State Bar of Texas Group
From Ben & Jerry’s to the Republic of South Sudan, high-profile clients trust ShahmeerHalepota with their most important complex commercial disputes. Here he is awarded for his work.
John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know 2025 List
AZA's John Zavitsanos wi s another national honor.
AZA Partner Sammy Ford IV Wins HBA President’s Award
Sammy Ford IV, head of personal injury group, is honored once again
Three AZA Partners Named to Lawdragon’s 2025 list of 500 Leading Energy Lawyers
AZA lawyers receive more accolades. Here for their prowess in energy litigation.
Todd Mensing Again Named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in Environmental Law
For a third year Todd Mensing, who largely represents energy companies in environmental cases, was named a top US lawyer in environmental litigation.
The Top 10 Trial Mistakes That You Didn’t Know Were Mistakes
The Texas Lawbook published John Zavitsano's essay on mistakes to avoid that stem from the evolution of juror behavior over the last 20 years — and especially in the five years since COVID.
Jury Awards AZA Client $78.5 Million in Patent Infringement Case Against Samsung
After a five-day trial, a federal jury awarded AZA’s client Anonymous Media Research Holdings the full $78,512,999 requested from Samsung Electronics Co. for infringing on two patents.
AZA Once Again Named a National Most Feared Law Firm in Client Survey
A national survey of general counsel and top-level legal counsel consumers once again put AZA on the list of BTI Consulting’s Most Feared Law Firms.
AZA Raises Starting Salary to Exceed National Big Law Market
Houston trial boutique AZA announces it will hike its first-year lawyer salary from the market rate followed by the national Big Law firms of $225,000, up to $235,000. Second-year salaries will also climb $10,000.
AZA Co-founder Joe Ahmad Named a Lawdragon Leading Corporate Employment Lawyer 2026
HOUSTON – Name partner Joe Ahmad, co-founder of AZA, was named once again to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers list. The 2026 edition marks the third year Mr. Ahmad has been on this list. He was again cited for his expertise in executive representation.
Twenty-Five AZA Lawyers Named 2025 Texas Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Twenty-five AZA lawyers earned 2025 recognition by Texas Super Lawyers as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars for excellence, largely in business litigation, intellectual property and appellate work.
AZA Wins $140 Million Victory for Houston Bank
A former executive for Houston-based Cornerstone Capital Bank capitulated during a Harris County trial and agreed to take nothing on his $140 million demand for payment of frivolous discrimination claims.
AZA Partner Shahmeer Halepota Speaks at The United Nations
AZA partner Shahmeer Halepota served on a five-person panel at the United Nations on Sept. 11, discussing a water crisis in Pakistan and the ramifications and rights created under an international water rights treaty.
AZA Associates Praise Firm for Work & Camaraderie in Vault Survey
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.
Fourteen AZA Lawyers Named 2026 Lawdragon Leading Litigators
HOUSTON – Fourteen of AZA’s trial lawyers were recognized on The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, a list that aspires to name “the best litigators the U.S. has to offer.”
AZA Won Largest 2024 Harris County Jury Verdict in Commercial Litigation
HOUSTON – TopVerdict.com, a surveyor of the highest jury verdicts and bench awards in the nation, found AZA’s $25.9 million jury verdict for a doctor’s group was the largest Harris County 2024 verdict in three categories – commercial litigation, breach of contract and economic loss. The September
AZA Wins Class Action Certification Victory Against Hospital System Sharing Patient Information
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A Missouri judge has certified a class action lawsuit for thousands of patients whose protected health information was illegally shared with Facebook and Google by their hospital system.
AZA Partner Monica Uddin Named One of Top National Lawyers for Client Service
HOUSTON – AZA partner Monica Uddin was one of only 240 lawyers nationwide named to the BTI Client Service All-Stars. The list, compiled through a survey of corporate counsel and those who regularly use top-drawer legal services, is largely composed of lawyers at big law firms.
26 AZA Attorneys Honored as 2026 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
HOUSTON – Nearly half of all AZA lawyers were named to the 2026 The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch lists.
AZA Favorably Resolves Multi-Million Dollar Litigation for UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov
Undefeated Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts champion Khabib Nurmagomedov confidentially settled his breach of contract suit against an NFT company.
Vault’s 2026 Career Guide Again Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in Texas
Associates in the AZA Houston region rated AZA highly as did a national survey of law firm associates.
Six AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon’s 2025 500 X – The Next Generation of Leading Lawyers in America
Houston-based litigation boutique AZA or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, once again sees even its up and coming lawyers nationally recognized.
AZA Partner Shahmeer Halepota Named Rising Star by South Asian Bar Association of North America
The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) presented AZA partner Shahmeer Halepota with its Rising Star Award. He was one of only five winners of this international honor.
AZA Client Successfully Beats Back High-Stakes Claim in $80 Million Partnership Dispute
AZA wins another bet-the-company lawsuit for a client who faced eight-figure financial liability.
John Zavitsanos Again Named to The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers
John Zavitsanos, managing partner and firm co-founder, was honored yet again for a national award.
Prestigious Chambers USA Ranks AZA for 12th Year and Honors Seven Firm Lawyers
Chambers USA has once again recognized AZA's fine litigation practices and attorneys.
‘First of its Kind’ Influencer Copyright Case Dropped Against AZA Client
AZA wins a non-suit for social media influencer accused of stealing being and neutrals fashion concept
Four AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon 500 Global IP Lawyers 2025
AZA's intellectual property team is named in inaugural Lawdragon global IP list.
AZA Wins Jury Victory for KBR in $289 Million Energy Sector Breach of Contract Case
This was the second giant nine-figure verdict for an AZA trial team just this week.
AZA Defeats $123.7 Million Breach Claim in First Major Winter Storm Uri Natural Gas Jury Trial
From an industry perspective, this jury verdict answers the question identified in the Fifth Circuit’s 2024 decision Mieco v. Pioneer regarding reasonable efforts and replacement gas. It provides guidance to the industry about what producers like Marathon are reasonably expected to do.
AZA Partner Shahmeer Halepota Recognized by State Bar of Texas Group
From Ben & Jerry’s to the Republic of South Sudan, high-profile clients trust ShahmeerHalepota with their most important complex commercial disputes. Here he is awarded for his work.
John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know 2025 List
AZA's John Zavitsanos wi s another national honor.
AZA Partner Sammy Ford IV Wins HBA President’s Award
Sammy Ford IV, head of personal injury group, is honored once again
Three AZA Partners Named to Lawdragon’s 2025 list of 500 Leading Energy Lawyers
AZA lawyers receive more accolades. Here for their prowess in energy litigation.
Todd Mensing Again Named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in Environmental Law
For a third year Todd Mensing, who largely represents energy companies in environmental cases, was named a top US lawyer in environmental litigation.