What were the firm’s biggest or most important (non-client) achievements as a firm in 2020?
John Zavitsanos: Some firms slowed down in 2020. We sped up. We never cut staff or salary, no furloughs, no layoffs. Instead, we hired eight new lawyers and experienced significant growth. We tried six cases, some by Zoom, one in person.
As a firm, what were your biggest challenges and how did you address them?
Zavitsanos: The biggest challenge was balancing the dangers of Covid-19 with maintaining the quirky DNA of our robust firm. We drew some minor criticism from outside the firm for opening as soon as soon as we did (less than a month after the lockdown). Opening the firm enabled us to maintain morale and keep our work not just going, but growing. We did not refuse any request anybody who wanted to work remotely, but 90% of our folks wanted to work in the office.
What were three of the most important successes your firm’s Texas lawyers achieved for clients last year?
Zavitsanos: First was our significant win in an in-person jury trial which ended in August 2020. A six-person Arkansas jury awarded a $9.4 million verdict on behalf of AZA client Southeastern Emergency Physicians, LLC, an affiliate of TeamHealth Inc. The jury found that commercial insurance companies systematically tried to strip the 120 emergency clinicians in the physicians’ group of most of their pay.
Second was our January win for client National Oilwell Varco (NOV) following over three weeks of grisly testimony about a tragic 2018 oil rig explosion that killed five. All of the other defendants settled, but NOV did not. Jurors nevertheless found that NOV was only 10 percent responsible (a dollar amount less than what NOV offered). The Oklahoma jury found other companies that had already settled out of the case for significant amounts were 90 percent at fault. The devastating accident was the industry’s deadliest since the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
Third was a confidential settlement on very good terms for a major energy-sector client a month before a trial date.
Who are two Texas lawyers – one partner, one associate – who really shined in 2020 and why?
Zavitsanos: Partner Jane Robinson, head of our appellate section, made a couple of great arguments to the Texas Supreme Court, where she was able to highlight her remarkable abilities. She can win an argument without arguing. She is such a kind and collaborative person that she can frame her points and arguments in a win-win matter others seldom see. She has also been an amazing and fantastic mentor to our younger lawyers too. She came remarkably close to being elected to an appellate bench in 2020 (she lost by less than 3,000 votes where over 1 million votes were cast for her race) and though we are sorry she lost, we can’t help but being happy she is still with us.
Associate Shahmeer Halepota developed quickly into a leader, he is always in the HOV lane, always full throttle and has an infectious sense of optimism. His remarkable salesmanship, almost that of a hostage negotiator, got opposing lawyers to drop several construction cases just by talking them out of it. He led a team of four lawyers on a major construction case. When Shahmeer first joined that case, the opposition had two lawyers. Today, they have over 20 lawyers and five law firms. He also exudes the type of confidence that is the hallmark of our firm. For example, during his annual review, he showed up with a 20-slide Power Point about why it would be a mistake to not make him partner early.
What was the firm’s biggest pro bono/public service success in Texas of 2020?
Zavitsanos: We do a ton of pro bono, but the focus is a little different: we accept a number of trial cases for people who fall in the middle between those who can get indigent care and those who can afford effective lawyers. Our younger lawyers work these cases up for working class clients with a goal to getting to trial and learning valuable case management skills. These cases (unfortunately) all got continuances in 2020.
What was the firm’s most significant move forward in addressing diversity and inclusion in 2020?
Zavitsanos: Of the eight lawyers we hired in 2020, four are minorities. We look for and hire the best. That has meant for years that we have a diverse group of lawyers. We speak more than 15 languages at AZA. We do not keep a dedicated spot for minorities, we are a pure meritocracy and that means we hire lawyers of diverse backgrounds naturally.
What is your No. 1 goal as a law firm for 2021?
Zavitsanos: To have at least 12 trials this year (we typically have at least 12 every year). We are on our way.