Nicholas Petree

Nicholas Petree

Of Counsel

Nick Petree is a trial lawyer who handles high-stakes litigation in federal and state courts and before arbitration panels across the country. With experience in a wide range of disputes, he has successfully tried multiple cases through final judgment and domestic and international arbitration hearings through final award.

He has a knack for connecting with any audience—clients have noted his energetic and compassionate demeanor make him a natural at clearly and persuasively presenting to a jury, court, or arbitration panel. Attention to detail and a determined work ethic are the keys to Nick’s ability to consistently deliver on behalf of his clients. He is committed to understanding his clients’ businesses and concerns to address their goals both inside and outside the courtroom.

Nick has prosecuted and defended a variety of claims, ranging from breach of contract, fraud, and tortious interference to breach of fiduciary duties, defamation, and RICO. He regularly represents executives, directors, and investors concerning issues of fiduciary duties, governance, corporate compliance, and securities. Nick also regularly represents plaintiffs and defendants in litigation involving speech and other constitutional rights. In addition to his litigation practice, he frequently advises clients on negotiations of governing company agreements, service contracts, and sale and purchase agreements. Nick’s clients come from various industries, including energy (upstream, midstream, export, retail, and oilfield services), investments and banking, healthcare, aerospace, construction, and real estate development.

Nick maintains an active pro bono practice that includes significant experience representing individuals and community activist organizations in civil rights litigation. Nick has been honored multiple times for his pro bono efforts, including receiving several awards for representing students challenging the constitutionality of their school’s discriminatory dress and grooming code.

Nick has been recognized by independent and peer-reviewed publications, including awards as a Texas Super Lawyer and Texas Rising Star.

Prior to joining AZA, Nick honed his trial practice at an international law firm and another prominent litigation boutique.

Representative Matters

Won a defense victory at trial in a $205 million breach of contact claim brought by an upstream natural gas company against the client, a pipeline company, in a dispute over the parties’ gas gathering agreement. In the second trial ever conducted in the Texas Business Courts, the court awarded the plaintiff $1 out of its $205 million claim.
Won multimillion dollar award for energy company client in international arbitration involving competing claims for delays to the completion of two LPG plant conversion projects. And, subsequently, confirmed the disputed arbitration award in adversary bankruptcy proceedings.
Defended LNG export company against allegations that it usurped an LNG project business opportunity allegedly valued at $200-$300 million from a different company indebted to the opposing party. Following grant of partial summary judgment in client’s favor on eve of jury selection, successfully obtained dismissal of all claims against client without client making any payment.
Represented oil production company in lawsuit concerning terms of a crude oil purchase agreement executed with one of the world’s largest crude traders. Opposing party asserted claims for breach of contract, mutual mistake, unilateral mistake, and fraud. During course of the lawsuit, developed a counterclaim on client’s behalf for anticipatory repudiation of the agreement and obtained $42.5 million settlement payment made to client.
Represented pharmaceutical services and benefits management companies in dispute with contractual counterparty concerning amounts owed under services agreements. Obtained injunctive relief against counterparty consummating a planned asset purchase agreement that would result in the sale of substantially all its assets to a third party.
Defended State Representative against defamation claims brought by organization affiliated with her election opponent during course of campaign. Defeated plaintiff’s attempt to obtain injunctive relief and obtained dismissal of all claims following filing an Anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss.
Regularly represent and advise executives, directors, and investors concerning issues of fiduciary duties, governance, corporate compliance, and securities.
Represented shareholder in dispute concerning executive management of portfolio operating company. Designed and implemented multi-pronged strategy that included several shareholder and board-level corporate governance actions, won injunctive relief against executive management team removed by client, and defeated a defensive bankruptcy maneuver by the ousted executives.
Represented shareholder and director in arbitration against another shareholder and director involving competing claims for breach of fiduciary duties. Obtained award in client’s favor that included injunction against opposing party’s involvement in management or operations of the company.
Represented numerous commercial real estate developers and operators in multiple lawsuits against tenants and investors concerning competing claims for violations of leases and other contractual agreements. Obtained judgments in clients’ favors following each trial.
Defended oil production company in lawsuit from royalty interest owners regarding alleged failure to reasonably develop oil and gas minerals. Negotiated settlement for nuisance value following the filing of summary judgment against plaintiffs’ claims.
Retained by real estate developer three days before trial to take over defense against claims for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Obtained declaration of mistrial during course of the jury trial.
Defended investor at trial regarding a claim for recovery of fees under investment and development agreement. Obtained take nothing judgment for client following conclusion of the jury trial.
Defended geophysical seismic company against claims for breach of contract and trespass. Successfully moved to reopen previously closed bankruptcy proceeding, removed ongoing claims to bankruptcy court, and secured dismissal of all claims in contested adversary proceeding.
Represented publicly traded fuel retailer in arbitration brought by former parent company for defense and indemnity against third-party claims pursuant to the parties’ spinoff agreement. The third-party claims involved multiple actions brought by state attorneys general for remediation of underground storage tanks. Negotiated favorable settlement for client.
Defended real estate development company in class action lawsuit brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Obtained favorable settlement for client that included class-wide release of potential claims.
Defended multiple national financial services companies against claims of fraud, fraudulent inducement, tortious interference, slander, and breach of contract in connection with secured financing transactions. Successfully obtained orders of dismissal on all claims.
Retained to defend real estate investor in ongoing adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court against claims for recovery on a secured note. Obtained reversal of prior sanctions order against client and secured dismissal of claims during course of trial.
Represented partner prosecuting claims against other business partner for breach of fiduciary duty concerning freeze out from the business. Obtained a favorable settlement for client during settlement conference with magistrate judge. Following the settlement, obtained contested orders for enforcement of the settlement agreement as a result of opposing party’s non-compliance.
Represented publicly traded oilfield services company in multiple matters to prosecute claims for defective equipment and products. Obtained favorable settlements in each matter involving significant payments to client.
Retained by company and its corporate controller for post-judgment and appellate proceedings, including motion for new trial, net worth contest and discovery (and related mandamus), defense against attachment and collection efforts, and appeal. Successfully defeated attachment and collection efforts and judgment overturned on appeal.
In pro bono partnership with NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., represented students challenging the constitutionality of their school’s discriminatory dress and grooming code. Following weeklong hearing, obtained injunction against school’s enforcement of the policy on grounds of race and sex discrimination, as well as violation of the students’ free speech rights.
In pro bono partnership with NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., represented community activist organizations challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s newly enacted “anti-protest” criminal law. Obtained injunction against the State of Florida’s enforcement of the new criminal statute.

Education

University of Houston Law Center – J.D., 2012
- Order of the Coif
- Order of the Barons
- Magna Cum Laude
- Member of the UHLC Mock Trial Team
Texas A&M University, Mays Business School – B.B.A. in Marketing, 2009

Admissions

State Bar of Texas
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

Publications and Presentations

Nick Petree, Legal Ethics: Avoiding Key Dangers, NATIONAL BUSINESS INSTITUTE – CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
Eric Chenoweth, Nick Petree, Courtney Scobie, and Andrea Whitley, Texas: An Introduction to Litigation – General Commercial, CHAMBERS USA
“Trial Attorney – Is this the MOST unpredictable and thrilling job?” JOB DICTIONARY (Podcast), November 11, 2024
“Future of Litigation: Keeping Pace with the Rapid Rate of Change,” ALM I LAW.COM (Webcast), June 12, 2024
David Ammons and Nick Petree, Lessor Development Expectations During Downturn, TEXAS LAWYER, April 6, 2015
Nick Petree, Born in the USA: An All-American View of Birthright Citizenship and International Human Rights, 34 HOUS. J. INT’L L. 147 (2011)

Recognitions

In the News

AZA Wins Settlement for Black High School Students Told to Cut Their Natural Hair November 9, 2026

AZA Gets Oilfield Services Client Dropped from Competitor’s Trade Secret Lawsuit in 13 DaysJune 22, 2026

AZA Beats Natural Gas Provider’s $200 Million Bid for Damages from Pipeline Co. in New Texas Business CourtApril 7, 2026

Over Half of the AZA Firm Named on Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2026 ListsMarch 18, 2026

Twenty-Five AZA Lawyers Named 2025 Texas Super Lawyers & Rising StarsSeptember 18, 2025

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Recognitions

In the News

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