AZA Wins First Texas Business Court Trial
November 14, 2025AZA successfully represented Marathon Oil Company (recently acquired by ConocoPhillips) in the first trial held in the newly established Texas Business Courts. After a five-day trial, Business Court Judge Melissa Andrews ruled that Marathon validly invoked force majeure and was not liable for $26.5 million in damages related to natural gas deliveries it could not make during Winter Storm Uri.
“It was an honor to try the first case in the Texas Business Court. It was a great experience. The case progressed to trial at warp speed, with the court streamlining the process by resolving key legal issues in advance,” said AZA partner and lead trial lawyer Tim Shelby.
Mr. Shelby tried the case with partner Sammy Ford IV, of counsel Paul Galante, and associates Emily Adler and Ab Henry. Mark Trachtenberg of Haynes & Boone provided appellate support throughout the trial.
The case is Marathon Oil Company v. Mercuria Energy America LLC, No. 25-BC11A-0013, in the 11th Division of the Texas Business Court.
AZA, or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, is a Houston-based law firm that is home to true courtroom lawyers with a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation, including energy, healthcare, intellectual property and business dispute cases. AZA was recognized again by Chambers USA 2025 as among the best in Texas in commercial law and intellectual property; the firm has been listed by Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms as one of the country’s best commercial litigation firms for 14 years; has been named Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer three times; and was dubbed a Texas Powerhouse law firm by Law360.
AZA are our go-to firm for high-stakes litigations
