Joseph Ahmad
USA Guide 2024
Star Individuals : Labor & Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
713-655-1101Share profile
Star Individuals
About
Provided by Joseph Ahmad
Practice Areas
Joseph Y. Ahmad, a founding partner in the Houston law firm of AZA, is a lawyer for executives and has been recognized nationally as one of the best lawyers in his field. He represents executives in a variety of matters, including breach of contract, trade secrets, covenants not to compete, breach of fiduciary duty and other matters.
He was elected to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates, an elite group of the country’s leading judges and civil trial lawyers. He has been selected by his peers as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” since 2003 and he was named a “2015 Lawyer of the Year” in the Houston area. Mr. Ahmad has been recognized as a leading lawyer in “Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.” He has been named to the Texas Super Lawyers list since 2003, been on the Texas Super Lawyers Top 100 in Houston since 2006, and been in the Texas Super Lawyers Top 100 in Texas every year but one since 2006. He was also named a Benchmark Litigation Star in 2016-2022. Mr. Ahmad received the 2019 Distinguished Member Award from the South Asian Bar Association of Houston. He has received a rating of AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
Having tried more than 50 cases to a verdict, and argued more than a dozen cases on appeal, he is a nationally recognized expert and frequent lecturer on a variety of law topics for organizations such as the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, The University of Texas School of Law, and the University of Houston Law Foundation. He has been a frequent commentator on legal issues for various media entities, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Houston Chronicle, and local television stations.
His more recent engagements include representing: a general counsel sued for trade secret theft, an owner of an accounting practice who signed a covenant not to compete and employment agreement with the buyer of his practice, and a group of physicians with senior administrative roles within their medical center to represent them in a breach-of-contract dispute. And he was recently widely quoted by media nationally for his representation of Dr. Hasan Gokul, a doctor improperly accused of stealing COVID-19 vaccine. AZA is handling Dr. Gokal’s civil lawsuit against Harris County and Harris County Public Health for discrimination based on his race and national origin. Media coverage includes CNN’s “Texas doctor fired for using leftover Covid-19 vaccine doses sues county for discrimination.”
He also recently won a $62.65 million verdict from a Nevada jury in a nationally watched case for emergency room physician group clients who were underpaid by United Healthcare, the largest insurer in the nation. The jury in this seven-week trial unanimously found malice, oppression, and fraud in the underpayment of the doctors. This verdict against a cluster of United Healthcare affiliates will serve as a bellwether for more than two dozen similar cases around the nation against various insurers.
Professional Memberships
Houston and American Bar Associations (Sections: Litigation; Labor and Employment Law; Co-Chair of Trade Secrets, Covenants Not to Compete and Duty of Loyalty Subcommittee)
State Bar of Texas (Sections: Labor; Litigation)
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
National Employment Lawyers Association
Houston Chapter, National Employment Lawyers Association (past president – 2000)
Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Board President of the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society
Publications
PUBLICATIONS, PAPERS AND CLE PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE:
Multi-Jurisdictional Issues in Noncompete Enforcement, American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law, March 2024
Taking aim at non-competes, ELA/ABA 7th Transatlantic Conference: The Global Working World – Evolution, Opportunity and Challenge, Webinar, October 2021
SLAPP Your Opponents: What Employment Lawyers Need to Know about the Anti-SLAPP Law, State Bar of Texas Webcast, October 2018
The Brave New World of Trade Secrets and Non-Competes: Drafting and Negotiating Non-Compete and Confidentiality Agreements, American Bar Association webinar, February 2018
Motions Practice in the Houston and Galveston Divisions: What’s New, and What Can Be Improved?, Southern District of Texas Bench/Bar Conference, November 2017
Texas Trade Secrets and Covenants Not to Compete: Recent Updates, co-authored with Harrison Scheer, presented to Texas Association of Defense Counsel Annual Meeting, September 2017 in Seattle, WA.
The Federalization of Trade Secrets – Working with the Defend Trade Secrets Act, American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law, July 2016
Counterclaims and Anti-SLAPP Actions: What Happens When the Tide Turns?, American Bar Association Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee, March 2016
Voir Dire: Finding Your Enemies, The University of Texas School of Law CLE – Trial Skills Training Camp, October 2015
SOX, OSHA, and Beyond: Litigating Whistleblower Claims at the U.S. Department of Labor, HBA Labor & Employment Law Section – Newest Developments in Litigating Whistleblower Claims, October 2015
Covenants Not to Compete: Where We Are Now, TX Employment Lawyers Association Annual TELA Conference, October 2015 in San Miguel, Mexico
Recent Developments In Whistleblower Law: From a Whistleblower Lawyer’s
Perspective,NELA Webinar – Recent Developments in Whistleblower Law, September 2015
Trade Secrets and IP in the Age of Employee Mobility, ABA National Symposium on Technology in Labor and Employment, Panelist, March 2015 in Naples, Florida
Covenants Not to Compete and Trade Secrets, ABA Section of Labor Employment Law – Technology in Labor & Employment Law, March 2015 in San Francisco California
Code Red: Emergency Injunctive Relief in Non-Compete Cases, ERR Midwinter Meeting – ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law Employment Rights and Responsibilities, March 2015
Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Agreements in Texas: The Law is Changing. Are You Keeping Up? Texas Bar CLE Webcast, Panelist, December 7, 2010.
The Dodd-Frank Act: What it Means for Employment Lawyers, Texas Bar CLE Webcast, Panelist, November 30, 2010.
What the Texas Attorney Needs to Know About Unfair Competition and Non-Compete Claims, Lawline.com; Online CLE Seminar; 2010.
The Generational Effect of Juror Attitudes – Panelist, American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law Annual Meeting, August 5-10, 2010, San Francisco.
Employee Handbooks: The Good, The Bad, The Useless – Panelist, South Texas College of Law CLE, 23rd Annual Employment Law Conference, July 15-16, 2010, Houston.
What You Need to Know About Unfair Competition and Non-Compete Claims, Houston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education; January 28, 2010, Houston.
Expert in these Jurisdictions
Admitted to bar 1987, Michigan; 1989, Texas.
Admitted to all state and federal courts in Texas; U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York; U.S. District Court, District of Colorado; U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota; U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court.
Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1996.
Personal
Mr. Ahmad also maintains a blog, Legal Issues in the Executive Suite, where he explores issues involving trade secrets, covenants not to compete, executive compensation and other matters of importance to executives.
Work Highlights
Brady v. Fort Bend County and R. George Molina, 58 F.3d 173 (5th Cir. 1995), reh’g en banc granted (Aug. 25, 1995), appeal dismissed (Nov. 17, 1995)
Primeaux v. Conoco, 961 S.W.2d 401 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1997, no writ)
Washington v. HCA Health Services of Texas, Inc., 152 F.3d 464 (5th Cir. 1998), cert. granted 119 S.Ct. 2388 (1999)
Brady v. Fort Bend County, 145 F.3d 691 (5th Cir. 1998), cert. denied 119 S.Ct. 873 (1999)
Pratt v. City of Houston, Tex., 247 F.3d 601 (5th Cir. 2001)
Siler-Khodr v. University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, 261 F.3d 542 (5th Cir. 2001)
Mota v. University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, 261 F.3d 512 (5th Cir. 2001)
Education
University of Michigan School of Law
J.D.
1987
Lawrence University
B.A. with honors
1984
Articles, highlights and press releases
41 items provided by Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing
Benchmark Litigation 2025 Honors AZA and Three Partners for Excellence
The AZA firm and three partners are once again honored by Benchmark LItigation for excellence.
Eleven AZA Lawyers Named Super Lawyers, Two in Top 100 for Texas
AZA trial lawyers are once again recognized as among the best in Texas
Eleven AZA Lawyers Named Lawdragon Leading Litigators
Multiple AZA partners again make national best trial lawyers list. It's what AZA does.
AZA Wins $25.6 Million Jury Verdict for Healthcare Client
AZA had yet another jury verdict in the healthcare arena.
More than half of AZA’s attorneys honored as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Fourteen AZA lawyers were named Best Lawyers, and fifteen were named as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, an honor for lawyers who have been practicing for fewer than 10 years.
AZA Aids U.S. in Reaching $15 Million Baylor Heart Surgery Medicare Fraud Settlement
AZA and whistleblower client helps government uncover problems that lead to record settlement for concurrent surgery Medicaid fraud
AZA Earns Prestigious Chambers USA Rankings for the 11th Year in a Row
Houston-based trial firm Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing is highly rated yet again and two lawyers get top ratings in Texas.
AZA Co-founders Ahmad and Zavitsanos Named Lawdragon Leading Lawyers in America
Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos lamed leading lawyers in United States
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.
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.
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.
Thirteen AZA Attorneys Earn Texas Rising Stars Honor
Younger lawyers at AZA continue to be recognized with awards
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.
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.
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.
AZA Wins for Healthcare Clients Earn Top Verdict Rankings in Texas, US
Once again AZA makes the national and state top verdict lists.
AZA Selected as a Finalist for National Elite Trial Law Firm 2022
The firm and lead lawyer John Zavitsanos were nationally honored as a best trial firm in the insurance category.
AZA Expands Sexual Harassment Protection in Major Appellate Win against City of Houston
Representing a female firefighter harassed by co workers, AZA made new law in federal appellate court. The case was against the City of Houston.
AZA Victorious in $62 Million Nationally Watched TeamHealth Trial Against Insurance Giant United Hea
AZA won a case for ER doctors that will alter the litigation landscape in their suits against insurers around the U.S. .
AZA Named to Best Law Firms List for 10th Year by US News – Best Lawyers
Our clients bragged about us so much AZA made the Best Law Firm list the 10th year in a row.
AZA and Three Name Partners Earn Honors in Benchmark Litigation’s 2022 Guide
The AZA firm and name partners Ahmad, Zavitsanos and Anaipakos all honored by Benchmark Litigation.
Ten AZA Lawyers Make Super Lawyers List; Four Rank among Top 100
AZA has 10 lawyers named among the best in Texas by the Super Lawyers group with the two co-founders both listed among the Top 100 lawyers in Texas and four total lawyers named among the Top 100 in Houston.
Twelve AZA Lawyers Ranked among US Best for Commercial, Intellectual Property, Personal Injury Litig
Best Lawyers showered 24 AZA lawyers with awards. 12 to partners and 12 more to up and coming partners and associates.
AZA Earns Texas Super Lawyers Honors; Three Make Top 100 Lists
Once again, AZA lawyers named as Super Lawyers and as Top 100 in Texas.
Houston Settles Fire Department Discrimination Lawsuit, Agrees to Federal Consent Decree
Female firefighter wins consent decree to have ranking members of the force trained on sexual discrimination.
AZA Trial Lawyers Among Nation’s Best for Commercial, Intellectual Property Litigation and Appellate
Once again AZA lawyers rated among best in nation for IP, Commercial and patent work.
AZA Again Ranked Among 30 Largest Law Firms and Top Intellectual Property Law Firms by Houston Busin
Houston litigation boutique AZA among largest law firms in Houston and very top in IP/patent firms in Houston.
Benchmark Litigation 2025 Honors AZA and Three Partners for Excellence
The AZA firm and three partners are once again honored by Benchmark LItigation for excellence.
Eleven AZA Lawyers Named Super Lawyers, Two in Top 100 for Texas
AZA trial lawyers are once again recognized as among the best in Texas
Eleven AZA Lawyers Named Lawdragon Leading Litigators
Multiple AZA partners again make national best trial lawyers list. It's what AZA does.
AZA Wins $25.6 Million Jury Verdict for Healthcare Client
AZA had yet another jury verdict in the healthcare arena.
More than half of AZA’s attorneys honored as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Fourteen AZA lawyers were named Best Lawyers, and fifteen were named as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, an honor for lawyers who have been practicing for fewer than 10 years.
AZA Aids U.S. in Reaching $15 Million Baylor Heart Surgery Medicare Fraud Settlement
AZA and whistleblower client helps government uncover problems that lead to record settlement for concurrent surgery Medicaid fraud
AZA Earns Prestigious Chambers USA Rankings for the 11th Year in a Row
Houston-based trial firm Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing is highly rated yet again and two lawyers get top ratings in Texas.
AZA Co-founders Ahmad and Zavitsanos Named Lawdragon Leading Lawyers in America
Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos lamed leading lawyers in United States
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.
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.
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.
Thirteen AZA Attorneys Earn Texas Rising Stars Honor
Younger lawyers at AZA continue to be recognized with awards
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.
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.
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.
AZA Wins for Healthcare Clients Earn Top Verdict Rankings in Texas, US
Once again AZA makes the national and state top verdict lists.
AZA Selected as a Finalist for National Elite Trial Law Firm 2022
The firm and lead lawyer John Zavitsanos were nationally honored as a best trial firm in the insurance category.
AZA Expands Sexual Harassment Protection in Major Appellate Win against City of Houston
Representing a female firefighter harassed by co workers, AZA made new law in federal appellate court. The case was against the City of Houston.
AZA Victorious in $62 Million Nationally Watched TeamHealth Trial Against Insurance Giant United Hea
AZA won a case for ER doctors that will alter the litigation landscape in their suits against insurers around the U.S. .
AZA Named to Best Law Firms List for 10th Year by US News – Best Lawyers
Our clients bragged about us so much AZA made the Best Law Firm list the 10th year in a row.
AZA and Three Name Partners Earn Honors in Benchmark Litigation’s 2022 Guide
The AZA firm and name partners Ahmad, Zavitsanos and Anaipakos all honored by Benchmark Litigation.
Ten AZA Lawyers Make Super Lawyers List; Four Rank among Top 100
AZA has 10 lawyers named among the best in Texas by the Super Lawyers group with the two co-founders both listed among the Top 100 lawyers in Texas and four total lawyers named among the Top 100 in Houston.
Twelve AZA Lawyers Ranked among US Best for Commercial, Intellectual Property, Personal Injury Litig
Best Lawyers showered 24 AZA lawyers with awards. 12 to partners and 12 more to up and coming partners and associates.
AZA Earns Texas Super Lawyers Honors; Three Make Top 100 Lists
Once again, AZA lawyers named as Super Lawyers and as Top 100 in Texas.
Houston Settles Fire Department Discrimination Lawsuit, Agrees to Federal Consent Decree
Female firefighter wins consent decree to have ranking members of the force trained on sexual discrimination.
AZA Trial Lawyers Among Nation’s Best for Commercial, Intellectual Property Litigation and Appellate
Once again AZA lawyers rated among best in nation for IP, Commercial and patent work.
AZA Again Ranked Among 30 Largest Law Firms and Top Intellectual Property Law Firms by Houston Busin
Houston litigation boutique AZA among largest law firms in Houston and very top in IP/patent firms in Houston.