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AZA’s Rocker-Lawyer Foster Johnson Featured in Texas Lawbook
June 15, 2021

It seems mind-boggling that a one-time alt-rock musician would wind up a corporate defense lawyer. It’s that incongruity that inspired Texas Lawbook to interview AZA’s Foster Johnson, who performed in his own band for 10 years before practicing law. 

 

In an article headlined “For AZA Musician-Turned-Lawyer, the Courtroom Is Just a Different Stage,” Mr. Johnson explains:  “There is a performance aspect in common, especially in front of a jury. The very best trial lawyers communicate and entertain. In its way, it’s not unlike being a musician onstage in front of a lot of people and performing without feeling self-conscious.”

 

AZA founding partner John Zavitsanos agrees. “Maybe it’s from being onstage, maybe it’s from the creativity of writing music, maybe it’s from the mushrooms consumed while in the band, but he is a legal genius and comes up with the most bizarre, unconventional ideas that have done miracles for our clients,” Mr. Zavitsanos told Texas Lawbook. 

“We walk to the beat of a different drummer over here,” he added. “We don’t look for people who play it safe, color inside the lines and are risk-averse. We look for people who are not only brilliant but have overcome major life obstacles and have a bit of a chip on their shoulder.”

 

Mr. Johnson said one thing he didn’t need to learn in making the transition from music to law was the virtue of hard work. “Being in a band – and actually making a living at it – is tough,” he said. “Really tough.” 

 

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 is recognized by Chambers USA 2021 among the best in Texas commercial law; by U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms as one of the country’s best commercial litigation firms for nine years running; was named 2019 Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer; and was previously dubbed by Law360 a Texas Powerhouse law firm. National corporate counsel named AZA one of the country’s best in client service among law firms serving the Fortune 500. 

1221 McKinney St, Suite 2500, Houston, TX 77010 | (713) 655-1101
© 2024  Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing All rights reserved.

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1221 McKinney St, Suite 2500
Houston, TX 77010
(713) 655-1101

© 2024 All rights reserved.

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