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Vault’s 2026 Career Guide Again Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in Texas 

HOUSTON – AZA was once again highly rated by associates responding to the Vault 2026 survey and was named in the top 10 midsize firms to work for in Texas.  AZA was also rated nationally in the top 10 for career outlook, inclusion and compensation and in the top 20 for: best to work for, […]

Six AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon’s 2025 500 X – The Next Generation of Leading Lawyers in America  

HOUSTON – Six AZA lawyers made Lawdragon’s 2025 500 X – The Next Generation list that forecasts “a fascinating future of global law practice.”  Partners Weining Bai, Jason McManis, Jordan Warshauer and Kelsi Stayart White were named along with associates Michael Gorrell and Michael Killingsworth. The full list is here.  “They’re also mesmerizing, multi-talented, dedicated, […]

Houston Trial Lawyer Guides Blind Runners

Houston Trial Lawyer Guides Blind Runners June 23, 2025 | Texas Lawyer Houston trial lawyer Cameron Byrd guides blind runners in half-marathons and other competitive races—an experience that has improved his stamina and communication skills in high-stakes courtroom battles. Byrd trains for the Houston Half Marathon and Houston Bar Association 10K each year, along with […]

AZA Partner Shahmeer Halepota Named Rising Star by South Asian Bar Association of North America 

HOUSTON – The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) Friday night presented AZA partner Shahmeer Halepota with its Rising Star Award.  He was one of only five winners of this international honor. Mr. Halepota has served on the board of the South Asian Bar Association of Houston for the last six years, including […]

AZA Client Successfully Beats Back High-Stakes Claim in $80 Million Partnership Dispute  

HOUSTON – A bet-the-company arbitration resulted in dismissal of claims against AZA’s client, the founder and majority member of a nine-figure business, in a case that totaled $80.8 million in liability.  AZA’s client was also awarded attorneys’ fees in the ruling over contract and fraud accusations by a minority member claiming unpaid distributions spanning nearly […]

John Zavitsanos Again Named to The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers  

HOUSTON – John Zavitsanos, a co-founder of AZA, was named to The 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers.  Mr. Zavitsanos was a repeat honoree on the plaintiff financial lawyers list for his expertise in commercial litigation, intellectual property and securities. His trial work includes cases on both plaintiff and defense sides of the bar. […]

Prestigious Chambers USA Ranks AZA for 12th Year and Honors Seven Firm Lawyers

HOUSTON – Chambers USA, the gold standard of legal ratings, gave AZA top ratings in Texas for two practice areas and ranked seven lawyers. This is the12th year AZA was rated in the general commercial litigation category and the fifth year for its intellectual property (IP) practice. “The firm sets the bar for excellence in […]

‘First of its Kind’ Influencer Copyright Case Dropped Against AZA Client 

HOUSTON — Online influencer Alyssa Sheil saw a highly publicized lawsuit against her dropped by influencer Sydney Gifford, who non-suited her claims and took nothing.   AZA client Ms. Sheil said the case claiming her largely beige and neutrals online fashion style was copied was frivolous. “This was about more than just me. This sets […]

Four AZA Lawyers Named to Lawdragon 500 Global IP Lawyers 2025 

HOUSTON – Four members of AZA’s intellectual property team were named to the Lawdragon 500 Global IP Lawyers 2025.  Those named are partners Jason McManis and Weining Bai and associates Louis Liao and Colin Phillips.   This is the first Lawdragon list honoring global IP lawyers who are key to companies’ IP strategies and trade. […]

AZA Wins Jury Victory for KBR in $289 Million Energy Sector Breach of Contract Case

HOUSTON – A Harris County jury ruled in favor of AZA client Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), the global technology and engineering company, in a breach of contract case over $289 million in alleged lost profits and damages on a bid for a Mexican refinery build. This was the second giant nine-figure verdict for an […]

AZA Defeats $123.7 Million Breach of Contract Claim in First Major Winter Storm Uri Natural Gas Trading Jury Trial 

HOUSTON – A federal court jury in Houston found in favor of Marathon Oil Company in a lawsuit against Koch Energy Services over the delivery of natural gas during the February 2021 Winter Storm Uri. In the process, AZA’s client Marathon Oil prevailed on its declaratory judgment claim and defeated Koch’s $123.7 million counterclaim for […]

AZA Partner Shahmeer Halepota Recognized by State Bar of Texas Group  

HOUSTON – AZA partner Shahmeer Halepota received the 2025 Best Lawyers Under 40 award from the Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas.  From Ben & Jerry’s to the Republic of South Sudan, high-profile clients trust Mr. Halepota with their most important complex commercial disputes. His sole focus is achieving the most […]

John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know 2025 List

HOUSTON – John Zavitsanos, a co-founder of AZA, was named to the Lawdragon 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know 2025. Lawdragon editors wrote that they researched the innovation, focus and drive these 100 lawyers around the nation bring to their firms. Their list has “representatives from firms large and small, corporate and litigation, plaintiff […]

AZA Client Victimized by Viral, False Rumor Featured in Major National Media,  Including NY Times and NBC 

HOUSTON – AZA client Mary Kate Cornett, a typical Ole Miss freshman, saw her life turned upside down in the worst conceivable way when vicious, false rumors about her were spread on social media and then amplified by sports media personalities, including ESPN’s Pat McAfee.  The young Houston woman’s terrifying story first spread in late […]

AZA Partner Sammy Ford IV Wins HBA President’s Award  

HOUSTON – AZA partner Sammy Ford IV has won the 2025 Houston Bar Association President’s Award in recognition of his outstanding service as chair of the HBA Litigation Section.  “It was a pleasure to work with my colleagues in the Litigation Section. This year we tried to meet our members where they are to help […]

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© 2025 All rights reserved.

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