Overview
Introduction
Based in Houston, Texas, and home to over 50 lawyers, Ahmad, Zavitsanos and Mensing P.C., known as AZA, is a boutique litigation firm that is “talented, tough and courtroom tested.” AZA attorneys participate in substantive trial work from the start, contributing to the firm’s strength in the courtroom. The firm counsels clients of all sizes, from multinational companies to individuals, and is known for its attorneys’ skill in both commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation, as well as other practice areas.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Top credentials are must-haves to get hired at AZA, but interest in becoming a trial lawyer is equally important. Associates say that AZA attorneys can be intense, but office culture is friendly and informal. Socializing is common both inside and outside the office, and many associates say their colleagues at the firm feel like family members. Partners assign responsibility early and freely but stay very engaged with associates, focusing on getting the job done well, not on hierarchy—informal training and mentorship are seen as integral parts of the firm’s culture. Associates have significant autonomy, and even junior associates can expect to take depositions and argue in court. Management is relatively opaque regarding firm finances and performance. The hours can be long, but ass...
About the Firm
AZA is a litigation boutique with attorneys known for trial prowess. With a team of over 50 lawyers, the firm has participated in more than 225 trials. It is a Lone Star State staple, ranking among Vault’s 2025 Best Midsize Law Firms in Texas.
From IP to Energy
AZA was founded in 1993 by Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos—both of whom are still at the firm today. Although many of its cases involve high-stakes litigation for multinational companies, AZA represents individuals and midsize businesses with serious legal issues. AZA represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of practice areas, including commercial litigation; company investigations; construction and real estate litigation; executive employment litigation; IP litigation; oil and gas/energy; and trade secrets and...
Associate Reviews
- “Lawyers are intense and hardworking but pragmatic, social, and friendly.”
- “Lawyers and staff interact extremely well. The atmosphere is professional but still fun. We poke fun at each other, and no one takes themselves too seriously. There are often firmwide happy hours, and it seems to me that most people genuinely enjoy hanging out with each other.”
- “Cordial and family-like on the inside, aggressive on the outside.”
- “AZA's culture is a huge part of what makes it a successful firm. Folks here are friendly, informal, and genuinely interested in the success and happiness of all their colleagues. Equally importantly, we don't take ourselves too seriously.”
Why Work Here
AZA is a firm of lawyers who love to go to trial and love to win. The partners will get associates into the courtroom as soon as possible. Associates have been allowed to try cases on their own. And they have won. The firm lawyers are quick-thinking, intense and they value courtroom preparation and client service. The firm has been awarded for great client service.
Getting Hired Here
- “Mentally tough, smart, hard worker, chip on the shoulder, and willing to work hard and not afraid of the moment to take responsibility.”
- “Select schools (Michigan, Chicago, Texas, Harvard, Stanford) and other T14 schools with very good grades. The better the grades, the better chance of getting an interview. Clerkships are helpful for lateraling. Trial experience or an interest in it is also very helpful.”
- “The firm primarily hires from T14 law schools, but that is not an absolute rule. The most important factor besides grades is excitement about and dedication to being a trial lawyer.”
- “The ideal candidate for a first-year attorney comes from top-tier law school with solid grades. Many of the associates here clerked as well. AZA also aggressively pursues junior and mid-level laterals from elite law firms who are seeking more substantial work.”
Perks & Benefits