Fourteen AZA Lawyers Named 2026 Lawdragon Leading Litigators

HOUSTON – Fourteen of AZA’s trial lawyers were recognized on The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, a list that aspires to name “the best litigators the U.S. has to offer.” 

“The outstanding advocates recognized here have made their mark representing clients in their most important courtroom, investigative and administrative battles. They have changed the course of industry and individual businesses, shaped our nation and the enforcement of its laws, and continued to uphold the role of the law as a beacon and shared imperative,” Lawdragon states. 

Lawdragon said it selected this guide through a record-breaking number of submissions, along with journalistic research and vetting with the nation’s leading trial lawyers. 

“AZA tries and wins cases, and it makes sense so many of our lawyers are on this national list. Every man and woman listed here is formidable in the courtroom,” said John Zavitsanos, co-founder and managing partner of AZA. 

• Joe Ahmad, co-founder of the firm, was cited for his work in commercial litigation, energy litigation and IP (intellectual property) litigation.  

• Cameron Byrd was recognized for his commercial litigation work. 

• Nathan Campbell was cited for his work in commercial litigation. 

• Sammy Ford IV was awarded for his work in commercial litigation.  

• Rey Flores was recognized for his work in commercial litigation and energy litigation.  

• Shahmeer Halepota was named for his commercial litigation work.  

• Kevin Leyendecker was awarded for his commercial litigation and energy litigation work.  

• Jason McManis, head of the firm’s intellectual property group, was cited for his IP litigation work.  

• Todd Mensing was recognized for his work in commercial litigation, energy litigation and IP litigation.  

• Kyle Poelker  was cited for his commercial litigation work.        

• Jane Langdell Robinson was awarded for her commercial litigation and energy litigation work.  

• Tim Shelby was cited for his work in commercial litigation and energy litigation.  

• Monica Uddin was recognized for her work in commercial litigation.  

• John Zavitsanos, co-founder of the firm with Mr. Ahmad, was awarded for his work in commercial litigation and energy litigation.  

AZA co-founders Messrs. Ahmad and Zavitsanos were also named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America along with their partner former judge Daryl Moore.  

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 13 years; has been named Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer three times; and was previously dubbed a Texas Powerhouse law firm by Law360.