Impressive credentials, valuable experience, superb clerkships and general chutzpah abound in AZA’s 11 newest lawyer hires. Many came to AZA from prestigious global and boutique firms. Whether practicing for more than two decades, or fresh out of law school, this crop of attorneys has what it takes to win the AZA way.

Barbara DePeña  – A trial and appellate lawyer, Ms. DePeña came to AZA from another high-ranking firm. This UT Law graduate clerked for federal and state judges as well. Read more here.

Paul Galante – With decades of complex commercial litigation experience across many industries, Mr. Galante brings imposing skills along with his penchant for pro bono work. Read more here.

Carl Gustafson – A second-career trial lawyer, Mr. Gustafson came to AZA from a global law firm. He is a former federal law clerk and a COO of a tech company. Read more here.

Chris Hackerman – With 26 years of significant litigation experience in both plaintiff and defense matters, Mr. Hackerman comes to AZA with a wide variety of experience. Read more here.

Justin Kenney – Coming to AZA from another prestigious law firm, Mr. Kenney is a trial lawyer with federal and state judicial clerk experience. Read more here.

Enes Ovcina – A former shareholder at a prominent national firm, Mr. Ovcina is a registered patent lawyer with experience in high-stakes intellectual property disputes. Read more here.

Angela Peterson – A trial lawyer, Ms. Peterson is an honors graduate of the University of Chicago Law School where she served on law review. Read more here.

Karina Sanchez-Peralta – A trial lawyer and former pediatric emergency room nurse, Ms. Sanchez-Peralta is a magna cum laude graduate of the UH Law Center. Read more here.

Jarmonique Smith – A commercial litigator, Ms. Smith joined AZA from a leading global firm. Her experience included disputes in the energy, healthcare and education industries. Read more here.

Michael Dylan Thompson – A trial lawyer, Mr. Thompson joins AZA from a leading global firm where he focused on employment, equity incentives, and other compensation issues. Read more here.

Cody Watson – A trial lawyer and recent graduate of Harvard Law School, Mr. Watson has a magna cum laude degree in philosophy as well. Read more here.