AZA Client Elite Air Freight Wins Trial Without Presenting Evidence

HOUSTON – A state district court judge dramatically ended an ongoing jury trial last week by tossing out a lawsuit filed by a “turnaround specialist” who claimed he was due a success fee that would have yielded more than $3.2 million from Houston-based freight-forwarder Elite Air Freight Inc.

Houston litigation boutique AZA, or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, represented Elite Air Freight in the business dispute. During the litigation, the company was acquired by Kuehn + Nagel, a multinational corporation based in Germany.

Following the cross-examination of the plaintiff and before AZA presented evidence on behalf of the firm’s client, Harris County District Judge Bill Burke ordered a directed verdict in favor of Elite Air Freight and a related company and co-defendant Advanced Logistics Services Inc. (ALSI).

The lawsuit was filed by Joseph W. Peine, who was hired by ALSI in 2002 to restore profitability and manage warehouse operations that handled and shipped oil field service equipment exclusively for Schlumberger Ltd. Mr. Peine claimed he was not paid what he was due under his agreement.

AZA Partner Sean Gorman and fellow firm attorney Ben Foster represented Elite and ALSI. Mr. Gorman says he is pleased that the judge recognized the fundamental flaws in the case against his clients.

“This was a long and hard-fought case with unique issues,” Mr. Gorman says. “When presented with plaintiff’s evidence in trial, Judge Burke acted quickly and decisively to end a case that should never have been filed.”

AZA is a Houston-based law firm that is home to true courtroom lawyers with a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation, including energy, intellectual property, and business dispute cases. AZA is recognized in Chambers USA 2014 among the best in Texas commercial law; U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America as one of the country’s best commercial litigation firms in 2014; and Law360 as one of only 13 Texas Powerhouse law firms. National corporate counsel named AZA one of the country’s best in client service among law firms serving the Fortune 1000. Read more at www.azalaw.com.