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(713) 655-1101Share profile
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About
Provided by John Zavitsanos
Practice Areas
John Zavitsanos is a highly regarded trial lawyer who loves trying cases and loves winning. He has achieved success for a multitude of clients – both defendants and plaintiffs, from big energy companies to lone whistleblowers battling the odds.
He has tried over 100 cases to verdict in litigation that runs the gamut: financial services, oil and gas, construction, complex commercial disputes, director and officer liability, non-compete and trade-secret disputes, real estate development, and defamation/business disparagement. He is the primary author of O’Connor’s Texas Rules * Civil Trials 2018-2024, the premiere civil trial rules guide for Texas lawyers and judges.
He has learned from every jury trial by surveying the jurors after the case and learning what conventional wisdom has outlived its usefulness. That’s a lot of input, since he has tried more than a dozen cases in just the last few years
And his willingness – delight, actually – at trying a case with confidence has impressed numerous heavyweight clients. As one happy customer put it, “I find that many large law firms are willing to capitulate too quickly and pressure me to settle too soon.” He said he knows that Mr. Zavitsanos is “serious about going to trial.”
Mr. Zavitsanos’ considerable talents have been recognized by every possible legal rating service. For 19 consecutive years, he’s been listed by Best Lawyers in America. He’s recognized for his General Commercial Litigation work in Texas by the highly respected Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, published by London-based Chambers and Partners. He was also named a Benchmark Litigation Star in 2016-2024. And he is a Litigation Counsel of America Senior Fellow. And he was named on Lawdragon 500 leading lawyers in America lists for 2021- 2024 with a focus on commercial litigation, intellectual property, and securities.
He has achieved the highest possible peer rating, AV Preeminent, by Martindale-Hubbell, the premier legal directory, for his Business Litigation practice. He’s been named by his peers as one of the top 100 Texas Lawyers on the annual Texas Super Lawyers list for more than a decade. He was recently featured on the cover of Texas Super Lawyer magazine as one of only a handful of lawyers in Texas to be named a Super Lawyer every year for the past 20 years. He is board certified in civil trial law by both the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, an accomplishment held by less than 2 percent of all practicing lawyers in the state of Texas.
Career
Board Certified, Civil Trial Advocacy Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
Board Certified, Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Leader in Texas General Commercial Litigation in the 2014- 2024 editions of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Chambers USA Texas Trial Lawyers Spotlight honor 2021
Band 1 Chambers Trial Law
The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2023
National Elite Trial Law Firm 2021 Award Winner
2019 Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship presented by the National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew
Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America lists for 2021-2024 with a focus on being a leading litigator in commercial litigation,
intellectual property, and securities. Also named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers.
National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Attorneys Trailblazer, 2022.
One of only 10 lawyers named nationally by Law360 as a Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar, 2022.
2023 Top 10 Trailblazing Commercial Litigation Lawyers in Houston named by Business Today
Litigation Counsel of America Senior Fellow including Trial Law Institute, Diversity Law Institute and Order of Justitia
Houston Bar Association Speakers Bureau Committee for the 2020-2021
Benchmark Litigation Star in 2016-2024
Texas Super Lawyers, 2003-2024
Top 100 Texas Lawyers, 2011-2023
Top 100 Houston Super Lawyers, 2007-2024
Top 100 Regional Business Litigators, 2007-2016
Who’s Who in American Law
Million Dollar Advocate Forum
Outstanding Lawyers of America, 2003 – present
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
Who’s Who in Energy, 2011-2014
College of the State Bar of Texas, 2005
Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell – Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards
Publications
Mr. Zavitsanos’ authorship and presentations at seminars include:
Primary author of O’Connor’s Texas Rules * Civil Trials 2018-2024
“How to Use and Defend Against the Reptile Theory,” Houston Bar Association Civil/Appellate Bench Bar Conference, April 2024
“Voir Dire and Preserving Error,” Houston Bar Association Civil/Appellate Bench Bar Conference, April 2023
“The Art of Business Litigation: A Conversation (Business & Ethics) & CLE,” March 2023
“How to Screw Up Your Voir Dire,” Houston Bar Association Litigation Section CLE, October 2022
“How to Command a Room: Impactful Presentations to Juries and Clients,” Houston Bar Association seminar, February 2022
“Strategies from Trial Titans: Trying a Case to the Modern Jury of the 2020s,” Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists, September 2021
“Civil Case Update,” Texas Center for the Judiciary Spring Regional Conference, May 2021
“Live Jury Trials in the Time of Covid: Lessons from the Front Lines,” Litigation Counsel of America webinar, November 2020
“How the Pandemic is Impacting the Future of Jury Trials in Texas,” Texas Lawbook webinar, Houston, October 2020
“The Art of Business Litigation: A Conversation,” ALM’s Texas Business Litigation CLE presentation, Houston, March 2020
Contributing author of Texas Business Litigation 2019, published by Texas Lawyer
“The Art of Business Litigation,” University of Houston Law Center CLE, Houston, November 2019
“Opening Statements in David vs. Goliath,” America Bar Association, Litigation Section, New York City, May 2019
“Tactical Considerations in Business Trials,” Houston Bar Association, Litigation Section, Houston, April 2019
“Mining for Silver: Discovery Update,” 2019 HBA Civil/Appellate Bench Bar Conference, Houston, April 2019
“Voir Dire Panel Perspective – Effective Voir Dire and Opening,” Texas Bar CLE, Houston, October 2017
“Lies in Business and Under Oath” CLE course in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, December 2016
“Punitive Damages in Commercial Litigation: Pursuing and Defending Claims – Leveraging Pretrial Motions, Discovery and Trial Strategies, Navigating Constitutional Restraints” webinar, Strafford Publications Inc., April 2014
“Witness Credibility in Trial and Depositions,” Texas Lawyer’s In-House Counsel Summit, April 2014, November 2013, May 2012
“Witness Credibility at Depositions and Trial – Do’s and Don’ts,” State Bar of Texas – Texas Minority Counsel Program, 18th Annual Conference, September 2010
“Lessons Learned from Trying a Breach of Fiduciary Case,” Houston Bar Association, Litigation Section, December 2008
“Cross Examination,” University of Houston Law Foundation, Civil Litigation, February 2008
Credibility and Impeachment – University of Houston Law Foundation; Advanced Evidence and Discovery, November 2007
Witness Credibility – How To Prepare, Achieve, And Destroy It; Lorman Education Services, June 2006
Preparing Your Witness for Deposition and Trial, Houston Bar Association, March 2006
Types of Claims and Their Values, Houston Bar Association, September 2005
Preparing Your Witness for Deposition and Trial, Houston Bar Association, November 2004
Witness Credibility – How To Prepare, Achieve, And Destroy It, Lorman Education Services, September 2004
Credibility and Impeachment: Fundamentals of Direct and Cross- Examination, University of Houston Law Foundation – How to Offer and Exclude Evidence, September 2002
Preparing Your Witness for Deposition and Trial, University of Houston Law Foundation, June 2002
Punitive Damages – Phase II, University of Houston Law Center – Litigation and Trial Tactics, December 2000
Asserting, Contesting and Preserving Privileges Under the New Rules, University of Houston Law Foundation – Advanced Civil Discovery Under the New Rules, June 2000
Languages Spoken
Greek
Chambers Review
USA
John Zavitsanos wins particular praise for his trial capability. He handles high-stakes litigation on behalf of an enviable client base, which includes preeminent energy companies.
John Zavitsanos wins particular praise for his trial capability. He handles high-stakes litigation on behalf of an enviable client base, which includes preeminent energy companies.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"John is an incredible trial lawyer who understands the judge, the jury and the way courts work. He eviscerates our opponents. He's so good at just jumping in and winning trials at short notice."
"He is a very experienced trial lawyer."
"He is a master of cross-examination."
"John is an incredible trial lawyer who understands the judge, the jury and the way courts work. He eviscerates our opponents. He's so good at just jumping in and winning trials at short notice."
"He is a very experienced trial lawyer."
"He is a master of cross-examination."
Articles, highlights and press releases
76 items provided by Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing
Benchmark Litigation 2025 Honors AZA and Three Partners for Excellence
The AZA firm and three partners are once again honored by Benchmark LItigation for excellence.
Eleven AZA Lawyers Named Super Lawyers, Two in Top 100 for Texas
AZA trial lawyers are once again recognized as among the best in Texas
AZA Once Again Named Among the Nation’s ‘Most Feared’ Law Firms
BTI Counseling once again named AZA one of the firms lawyers and their clients most hate to see at the opposite table. BTI has also named AZA for best client service.
Eleven AZA Lawyers Named Lawdragon Leading Litigators
Multiple AZA partners again make national best trial lawyers list. It's what AZA does.
More than half of AZA’s attorneys honored as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Fourteen AZA lawyers were named Best Lawyers, and fifteen were named as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, an honor for lawyers who have been practicing for fewer than 10 years.
Vault’s 2025 Career Guide Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in U.S. and Texas
AZA associates once again rate the firm highly, as do competing associates.
AZA Earns Prestigious Chambers USA Rankings for the 11th Year in a Row
Houston-based trial firm Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing is highly rated yet again and two lawyers get top ratings in Texas.
John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers
AZA co-founder John Zavitsanos is honored nationally for his trial work once again.
AZA Wins Two Top 2023 Texas Verdicts for Energy Companies
AZA wins two more in a long line of top verdicts on the state.
AZA Co-founders Ahmad and Zavitsanos Named Lawdragon Leading Lawyers in America
Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos lamed leading lawyers in United States
Jury Refuses to Find Against Odessa Pumps; Awards It $2.4 Million
AZA's client was sued and the plaintiff took nothing but the AZA client was awarded $2.4 million in fees.
AZA Named for 12th Year to List of Best Law Firms
Clients praised AZA winning its 12th year on the Best Law Firm list.
Jury Awards AZA Client Mid Main $32.5 Million in Midtown Construction Case
Texas law firm AZA wins millions in counterclaims for client who was sued
Ten AZA Lawyers Make 2023 Super Lawyers List; Two are Top in Texas
Houston boutique trial firm AZA gets 10 lawyers on Texas Super Lawyers list.
Nine AZA Lawyers Named 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators
National list of leading litigators includes nine from AZA
Texas Lawyer Honors AZA on Watch List for Diversity and Appellate Practice
AZA was awarded both for its amazing new appellate practice and its firm diversity by the Texas legal media.
Twenty-Six AZA Lawyers Honored as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Twenty-six AZA lawyers, more than half of all the attorneys in the litigation boutique, were honored in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the nation’s oldest peer review guide to leading lawyers.
Thirteen AZA Attorneys Earn Texas Rising Stars Honor
Younger lawyers at AZA continue to be recognized with awards
Texas jury returns nearly $9M verdict in conspiracy against energy giant
AZA won yet another jury trial. This was a trade secret theft case for an international energy sector giant.
Ten AZA Lawyers Ranked among US Best for Commercial, Intellectual Property, Appellate and Personal I
AZA's top lawyers once again recognized for their expertise by national award group in U.S.
AZA Represents Ben & Jerry’s in International Lawsuit Against British-based Parent Company
This famous confection company interviewed a lot of law firm and picked the trial lawyers at AZA for this international case.
Texas Lawyer Magazine Yet Again Names AZA Litigation Department of the Year
For the third time AZA is named best boutique sized litigation firm in Texas by the state legal news.
Vault’s 2023 Career Guide Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in U.S. & Top 4 in Texas
Once again AZA is rated as a great place to work by it's associates and it came in high on a national survey.
John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon’s 500 Top Plaintiff Financial Lawyers List
AZA's John Zavitsanos has been named yet again to a national list of the best trial U.S. lawyers.
AZA Wins for Healthcare Clients Earn Top Verdict Rankings in Texas, US
Once again AZA makes the national and state top verdict lists.
AZA Selected as a Finalist for National Elite Trial Law Firm 2022
The firm and lead lawyer John Zavitsanos were nationally honored as a best trial firm in the insurance category.
AZA’s John Zavitsanos Named National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Attorneys Trailblazer
AZA co-founder John Zavitsanos wins another national award for his jury wins for emergency room doctors around the U.S..
Zavitsanos One of Law360’s 10 National ‘Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar’ for Groundbreaking Healthcare
AZA's co-founder John Zavitsanos is one of only 10 lawyers named nationally to this honor.
AZA Victorious in $62 Million Nationally Watched TeamHealth Trial Against Insurance Giant United Hea
AZA won a case for ER doctors that will alter the litigation landscape in their suits against insurers around the U.S. .
AZA Named to Best Law Firms List for 10th Year by US News – Best Lawyers
Our clients bragged about us so much AZA made the Best Law Firm list the 10th year in a row.
Benchmark Litigation 2025 Honors AZA and Three Partners for Excellence
The AZA firm and three partners are once again honored by Benchmark LItigation for excellence.
Eleven AZA Lawyers Named Super Lawyers, Two in Top 100 for Texas
AZA trial lawyers are once again recognized as among the best in Texas
AZA Once Again Named Among the Nation’s ‘Most Feared’ Law Firms
BTI Counseling once again named AZA one of the firms lawyers and their clients most hate to see at the opposite table. BTI has also named AZA for best client service.
Eleven AZA Lawyers Named Lawdragon Leading Litigators
Multiple AZA partners again make national best trial lawyers list. It's what AZA does.
More than half of AZA’s attorneys honored as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Fourteen AZA lawyers were named Best Lawyers, and fifteen were named as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, an honor for lawyers who have been practicing for fewer than 10 years.
Vault’s 2025 Career Guide Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in U.S. and Texas
AZA associates once again rate the firm highly, as do competing associates.
AZA Earns Prestigious Chambers USA Rankings for the 11th Year in a Row
Houston-based trial firm Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing is highly rated yet again and two lawyers get top ratings in Texas.
John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers
AZA co-founder John Zavitsanos is honored nationally for his trial work once again.
AZA Wins Two Top 2023 Texas Verdicts for Energy Companies
AZA wins two more in a long line of top verdicts on the state.
AZA Co-founders Ahmad and Zavitsanos Named Lawdragon Leading Lawyers in America
Joe Ahmad and John Zavitsanos lamed leading lawyers in United States
Jury Refuses to Find Against Odessa Pumps; Awards It $2.4 Million
AZA's client was sued and the plaintiff took nothing but the AZA client was awarded $2.4 million in fees.
AZA Named for 12th Year to List of Best Law Firms
Clients praised AZA winning its 12th year on the Best Law Firm list.
Jury Awards AZA Client Mid Main $32.5 Million in Midtown Construction Case
Texas law firm AZA wins millions in counterclaims for client who was sued
Ten AZA Lawyers Make 2023 Super Lawyers List; Two are Top in Texas
Houston boutique trial firm AZA gets 10 lawyers on Texas Super Lawyers list.
Nine AZA Lawyers Named 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators
National list of leading litigators includes nine from AZA
Texas Lawyer Honors AZA on Watch List for Diversity and Appellate Practice
AZA was awarded both for its amazing new appellate practice and its firm diversity by the Texas legal media.
Twenty-Six AZA Lawyers Honored as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Twenty-six AZA lawyers, more than half of all the attorneys in the litigation boutique, were honored in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the nation’s oldest peer review guide to leading lawyers.
Thirteen AZA Attorneys Earn Texas Rising Stars Honor
Younger lawyers at AZA continue to be recognized with awards
Texas jury returns nearly $9M verdict in conspiracy against energy giant
AZA won yet another jury trial. This was a trade secret theft case for an international energy sector giant.
Ten AZA Lawyers Ranked among US Best for Commercial, Intellectual Property, Appellate and Personal I
AZA's top lawyers once again recognized for their expertise by national award group in U.S.
AZA Represents Ben & Jerry’s in International Lawsuit Against British-based Parent Company
This famous confection company interviewed a lot of law firm and picked the trial lawyers at AZA for this international case.
Texas Lawyer Magazine Yet Again Names AZA Litigation Department of the Year
For the third time AZA is named best boutique sized litigation firm in Texas by the state legal news.
Vault’s 2023 Career Guide Puts AZA among Top Midsize Firms in U.S. & Top 4 in Texas
Once again AZA is rated as a great place to work by it's associates and it came in high on a national survey.
John Zavitsanos Named to Lawdragon’s 500 Top Plaintiff Financial Lawyers List
AZA's John Zavitsanos has been named yet again to a national list of the best trial U.S. lawyers.
AZA Wins for Healthcare Clients Earn Top Verdict Rankings in Texas, US
Once again AZA makes the national and state top verdict lists.
AZA Selected as a Finalist for National Elite Trial Law Firm 2022
The firm and lead lawyer John Zavitsanos were nationally honored as a best trial firm in the insurance category.
AZA’s John Zavitsanos Named National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Attorneys Trailblazer
AZA co-founder John Zavitsanos wins another national award for his jury wins for emergency room doctors around the U.S..
Zavitsanos One of Law360’s 10 National ‘Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar’ for Groundbreaking Healthcare
AZA's co-founder John Zavitsanos is one of only 10 lawyers named nationally to this honor.
AZA Victorious in $62 Million Nationally Watched TeamHealth Trial Against Insurance Giant United Hea
AZA won a case for ER doctors that will alter the litigation landscape in their suits against insurers around the U.S. .
AZA Named to Best Law Firms List for 10th Year by US News – Best Lawyers
Our clients bragged about us so much AZA made the Best Law Firm list the 10th year in a row.
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