Seventeen AZA Lawyers Named 2027 Lawdragon Leading Litigators 

HOUSTON – Seventeen of AZA’s experienced trial lawyers were honored on The 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America list, which aspires to name “outstanding advocates who …  made their mark representing clients in their most important courtroom, investigative and administrative battles.” 

Lawdragon uses submissions, research and vetting from firms large and small to create this list. “The U.S. trial bar is without peer throughout the world. And these are its stars,” Lawdragon stated. 

“We are all trial lawyers here at AZA. Our lawyers head to trial right out of the gate at this firm and it is no surprise we have such a large showing of leading trial lawyers on this national list, “said John Zavitsanos, AZA’s managing partner. 

The 17 AZA honorees are: 

• 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.  

• Shahmeer Halepota was named for his commercial litigation work.  

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

• Warren McCarty, managing partner of the Dallas offices, was named for his work in IP litigation.  

• 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.  

• Daryl Moore was awarded for his appellate and commercial litigation work.  

• 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.  

• Jordan Warshauer was recognized for her commercial litigation work.  

• Kelsi Stayart White was cited for her work in appellate and commercial litigation.  

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

Six of these lawyers were named earlier this year to the 500 Leading Lawyers in America 2026 list. They are AZA co-founders Messrs. Ahmad and Zavitsanos along with Messrs. Leyendecker, Moore, McManis and Mensing.  

Mr. Zavitsanos was named this year to the Lawdragon 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know 2026. 

Houston and Dallas trial boutique Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing, or AZA, has earned repeated recognition from Chambers USA among the best in Texas for our commercial law, intellectual property and appellate practices; 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 dubbed a Texas Powerhouse law firm by Law360.