Archive for 2026
Texas Lawbook: Jury Bias Against Big Business is a Big Problem
More than ever, there is a strong bias against big corporations coming from the jury box. Lawyers representing any sizeable business, not just the Fortune 500, must plan to counter this pervasive prejudice. The increased cynicism creating this perfect storm of corporate distrust comes from outside of the courtroom. It is born from views […]
AZA Appellate Win Negates $18.3 Million Decision in Penile Implant Trade Secret Case
HOUSTON – AZA’s appellate team reversed an $18.3 million judgment in a California case over trade secrets in a cosmetic penile implant case. “There were no secrets here to be kept. Multiple patents had already put all the ideas claimed as “secret” in the public domain so the jury finding was properly overturned,” said AZA partner Kelsi Stayart White, who represented all but one defendant in the case with AZA with […]
AZA Makes BTI Super Listener A-Team 2026, Ranked by Clients for Best at Business Development
HOUSTON – AZA was named to a national list of the most effective business developers in BTI Super Listener A-Team 2026: Clients Rank Law Firms Best at Business Development. The list compiled by BTI, which specializes in strategic legal market research, is largely populated by national Big Law firms. BTI polls general counsels and other […]
AZA Beats Natural Gas Provider’s $200 Million Bid for Damages from Pipeline Co. in New Texas Business Court
HOUSTON– After a full trial on the merits, a judge in the new Texas business court ruled that although Antero Resources Corp., one of the largest U.S. suppliers of natural gas, had won earlier rulings against a West Virginia pipeline owner, Stonewall Gas Gathering L.L.C., Antero would take only $1 of the $200 million it […]
John Zavitsanos Named Again to Lawdragon 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know
HOUSTON – John Zavitsanos, a co-founder of AZA, was named to the Lawdragon 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know 2026 honorees list. He also made this list in 2025. Lawdragon editors said of the awarded lawyers: “They inspire and lead as never before. They are impassioned, inclusive and represent a new era of what it looks like to […]
AZA Partner Monica Uddin Honored with Premier Women in the Law Award
HOUSTON – AZA partner Monica Uddin was honored by the Association of Women Attorneys Foundation (AWAF) with a Premier Women in the Law Award at a March 31 celebratory luncheon. The AWAF is a charitable group that honors exceptional women lawyers and funds scholarships and fellowships for outstanding Houston law students. Award winners are chosen for their […]
Four AZA Lawyers Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers List
HOUSTON – Four of AZA’s lawyers in the Houston and Dallas offices were named as 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers. John Zavitsanos, an AZA co-founder, is a repeat honoree for his expertise in commercial litigation, intellectual property and securities. His trial work, like that of the other AZA lawyers named, includes cases on both […]
Over Half of the AZA Firm Named on Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2026 Lists
HOUSTON – Thirty-five AZA lawyers were named to the Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2026 lists for excellence, largely in business litigation and intellectual property work. That includes more than half of the trial firm’s roster. AZA cofounders Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos were once again listed; both lawyers have been on the Texas Super Lawyers lists since the […]
AZA Makes New Missouri Sovereign Immunity Law in Case Over Selling Patient Information
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Making new law, the Missouri Court of Appeals today ruled that a government-run hospital cannot hide behind sovereign immunity to avoid a class action lawsuit over placing hidden trackers on patient portals to gather and sell protected patient information to third parties. The appellate court overturned a lower court ruling that […]
Jury Finds for AZA Client Brown & Root in $200 Million-Plus Trade Secret Case
ANAHUAC, Texas – A Chambers County jury found for AZA client Brown & Root Industrial Services in a more than $200 million claim that it improperly obtained Exxon facility maintenance contracts formerly held by CAM Industrial Solutions. Brown & Root prevailed on all questions as the jury refused to award CAM any money on its claim that […]
AZA Name Partner Todd Mensing Again Named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in Environmental Law
HOUSTON – AZA name partner Todd Mensing was once again named to Lawdragon’s list of The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers. Mr. Mensing, who focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, was honored for the fourth year for his work in environmental litigation. He is recognized among the top lawyers in the nation for commercial litigation and construction litigation […]
AZA Files Series of IP Infringement Suits on Behalf of International Tech Company
AZA has filed three patent infringement lawsuits in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of its client, international technology manufacturer Acer. U.S. telecommunications carriers AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile USA Inc. are named in the individual lawsuits alleging improper use of six U.S. patents held by Acer. The standard […]
Six AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America 2026 List
HOUSTON – Six AZA lawyers were named by Lawdragon to its 500 Leading Lawyers in America 2026 list, doubling the number of AZA lawyers recognized nationally in this category from a year ago. Lawdragon called those listed “the lawyers of now – those advocates who lead the way for clients, their communities, their firms. They are brilliant, […]
AZA’s $78.5 Million Patent Infringement Win Among 2025’s Top 10 National Patent Verdicts
HOUSTON – AZA’s East Texas jury win over Samsung Electronics Co. made Law360’s The Top Patent Damages in 2025 (subscription required). In September 2025, a federal jury awarded AZA’s client Anonymous Media Research Holdings the full $78,512,999 requested from Samsung for infringing on two patents. The jury in U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap’s Eastern District of Texas court heard […]
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