Archive for 2009
AZA Receives Minority Certification by the City of Houston
AZA was officially selected as a minority certified business by the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council. This represents the culmination of AZA’s 17 year commitment to diversity in the workplace. Earlier this year, AZA was also recognized as a presidential sponsor at the 17th Annual Texas Minority Council Program in San Antonio which was organized by […]
AZA Wins Landmark ERISA Ruling
On October 19, 2009, Joseph Y. Ahmad and Steven J. Mitby successfully defeated Continental Airlines in a major ERISA lawsuit that has garnered national and international media attention. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6675081.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/oct/20/pilots-and-a-pension-divorce-sham http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-10-20-continental-pilot-suit_N.htm In May 2009, Continental Airlines sued nine pilots and their spouses under ERISA to recover pension benefits that the carrier claimed it had paid […]
AZA Obtains Major Court Victory for Current Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion
After an extensive amount of briefing, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas granted the motion to dismiss filed by AZA lawyers Debbie Pacholder and Michael Murphy on behalf of current light heavyweight boxing champion Chad Dawson in a suit filed against him by former boxing promoter James Prince. Mr. Prince […]
AZA Files Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Claim Against Industrial Contractor for National Pipeline Company
AZA lawyers Todd Mensing and Steven Mitby have been retained by a publicly traded pipeline company to initiate a multi-million dollar fraud claim against an industrial contractor in Utah in connection with the construction of a major interstate pipeline. The contractor has asserted a counter-claim for over $15 million dollars it claims it is owed […]
AZA Partners Named Best Lawyers in America
Joseph Ahmad, John Zavitsanos, and Demetrios Anaipakos have been selected again for inclusion in the prestigious publication, The Best Lawyers in America. Selection to this group is limited to less than 1% of all practicing lawyers. Lawyer are included on this list by peer votes from the top practicing lawyers across the country who have been […]
AZA Wins Arbitration Against Southwest Airlines
Tiffany Isaac represented a Southwest flight attendant who had been wrongfully terminated based on an inaccurate breathalyzer test. After hearing evidence, at arbitration on June 19, 2009, the arbitrator concluded that the flight attendant should be returned to full duty immediately. Notably, Joseph Ahmad and Tiffany Isaac were able to secure a victory even after […]
AZA Lawyers Receive Prestigious Super Lawyer Designation
AZA lawyers Joseph Ahmad, Amir Alavi, Demetrios Anaipakos and John Zavitsanos have again been voted as “Texas Super Lawyers” by their peers. This distinction is limited to the top 5% of all practicing lawyers in the state. Our lawyers have received this distinction every single year that this award has existed.
Joseph Ahmad Named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Texas
Joseph Ahmad was recently voted as one of the top 100 lawyers in the entire state of Texas by all practicing lawyers as part of the Texas Super lawyer voting process. This is the fifth straight year that Mr. Ahmad has been included on this exclusive list.
John Zavitsanos Named as one of the Top 100 Regional Lawyers in Texas for Business Litigation
John Zavitsanos has been again voted as one of the top 100 regional lawyers for business litigation by his peers as part of the Texas Super Lawyer process. This is the fourth straight year Mr. Zavitsanos has been included on this exclusive list. Lawyers can only be included on this list from votes by other members of […]
Steven Mitby joins AZA
The Firm is pleased to announce that Steven Mitby has joined AZA as an associate. Mr. Mitby was formerly associated with the firm of Baker Botts where he practiced complex commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation. Mr. Mitby received his BS degree from Harvard University and his JD degree from Harvard Law School. Mr. Mitby will continue to […]
Elizabeth Pannill joins AZA
The Firm is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Pannill is joining the firm as an associate. Ms. Pannill was previously associated with the firm of Vinson & Elkins where she worked in their business litigation section. Ms. Pannill received her undergraduate degree from Kenyon College and her law degree from William and Mary School of Law where […]
Michael Murphy Obtains Take Nothing Arbitration Award on Behalf of MBUSA
On June 8, 2009, after a lengthy arbitration conducted under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association before judge Honorable A. Reagan Clark, Michael Murphy obtained a complete take-nothing award on behalf of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) and Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land. In the arbitration proceedings, MBUSA and Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land faced […]
AZA Lawyers Included on Prestigious List of Best Lawyers in Houston
For the seventh consecutive year, AZA lawyers John Zavitsanos (business litigation), Joseph Ahmad (employment litigation), and Amir Alavi (business litigation) were included as Houston’s top lawyers by H Texas magazine. A blue ribbon panel selected the top lawyers from among tens of thousands of practicing attorneys.
AZA Appears on Good Morning America
On Wednesday, May 27, 2009, Joseph Ahmad appeared on Good Morning America in connection with a high profile case filed by Continental Airlines against nine of its pilots. The airline alleges that the pilots and their spouses orchestrated a scheme to obtain pension benefits fraudulently. The pilots union retained AZA to defend these individuals in federal district […]
AZA Files High Profile Lawsuit for NCAA Basketball Coach
Demetrios Anaipakos was recently selected from among lawyers across the country to be lead counsel for Billy Gillispie, the former head basketball coach for the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team. The suit was filed on May 27, 2009 in federal district court in Dallas alleging breach of contract and fraud, among other claims. The case has […]