AZA

AZA is a litigation boutique with attorneys known for trial prowess. With a team of over 50 lawyers, the firm has participated in more than 225 trials. It is a Lone Star State staple, ranking among Vault’s 2025 Best Midsize Law Firms in Texas. 

From IP to Energy

AZA was founded in 1993 by Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos—both of whom are still at the firm today. Although many of its cases involve high-stakes litigation for multinational companies, AZA represents individuals and midsize businesses with serious legal issues. AZA represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of practice areas, including commercial litigation; company investigations; construction and real estate litigation; executive employment litigation; IP litigation; oil and gas/energy; and trade secrets and covenants not to compete.

While the firm has a strong commercial litigation practice, it is also known for its work in IP litigation, especially patent litigation. The firm’s IP lawyers handle cases across the globe and in multiple industries such as the biochemistry, chemistry, energy, hardware and software, technology, telecom, and transportation sectors. The firm also advises clients in the energy sector, including well-known oil and gas companies.

Get on Your Feet

At AZA, lawyers, including junior attorneys and summer associates, do not sit in the passenger seat for long. All associates take on substantive work on a trial within their first year, and summer associates have at least one opportunity to experience a deposition or courtroom session. Summers also engage in a mock argument competition in front of former judges.

• IEVM v. United Energy Group Ltd., et al.
  AZA developed the winning argument that knocked this $46.5 million fraud and breach of contract case out of court before AZA’s client was even required to participate in discovery. AZA was able to destroy the case against its client even though a co-defendant was not able to obtain the same clean win.
• Fremont Emergency Services (Mandavia), et al. vs. UnitedHealth Group, Inc. et al.
  In a closely watched December 2021 trial, a Nevada jury handed AZA client TeamHealth yet another trial victory on behalf of underpaid emergency room doctors, this time with a $62.65 million jury award against United Healthcare, the largest insurer in the nation. With attorneys’ fees, the award came to more than $75 million.
• Melinda Abbt v. City of Houston
  In early 2022, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Melinda Abbt v. City of Houston reversed a hostile work environment summary judgment order in a Houston firefighter’s case, setting two new precedents in hostile work environment cases.
  Port of Houston Authority of Harris County Texas v. Louis Dreyfus Company Houston
• Export Elevator LLC
  In March 2022, a jury in U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes’ court returned a $28 million verdict for AZA client, the Port of Houston, in a breach of contract dispute with French merchant firm Louis Dreyfus Company. The dispute was over Louis Dreyfus’ refusal to do required upkeep on a portside grain elevator it rented from the government from 2008 through 2018. The lack of upkeep resulted in massive corrosion, conveyor and structural tower problems, dust system problems, and other issues.

• Best Lawyers, 2024
• IAM Patent 1000, 2024
• AV Preeminent, 2024, Martindale Hubble
• Best Law Firm, 2024, Best Lawyers
• Chambers, 2024