Lawyers Tim Shelby, Benjamin Foster Join Houston Complex Commercial Litigation Firm AZA

HOUSTON – Houston lawyers Tim Shelby and Benjamin Foster have joined the complex commercial litigation boutique AZA, also known as AZA.

“We are proud to bring these two bright attorneys into our stable of trial-ready lawyers,” says John Zavitsanos, a founding partner at the firm. “AZA is pleased to be able to choose lawyers from the best law schools and some of the biggest law firms.”

Mr. Shelby focuses on complex commercial litigation, including regularly handling energy litigation, securities litigation, professional liability matters, and real estate disputes. His experience includes representing a large utility company in a variety of commercial, environmental and other disputes. Prior to joining AZA, Mr. Shelby practiced for eight years in the litigation department at Baker Botts in Houston.

Repeatedly recognized as one of Texas’ most successful young lawyers, Mr. Shelby has earned selection to the Texas Rising Stars list in 2008, 2009, and 2010 based on his work in business litigation. H Texas magazine recognized him as a “Professional on the Fast Track – Law” in 2009. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Mr. Shelby earned a Masters of Public Service and Administration from the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M University after receiving his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, in economics and political science from Baylor University.

Mr. Foster joins AZA from the Chicago law firm of Durkin & Roberts, where he gained valuable experience in federal white-collar criminal cases involving securities and commodities fraud, mortgage fraud, bank fraud and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

He is a University of Chicago Law School honors graduate who worked for two years with Judge Richard A. Posner and Professor William Landes to assemble research memorandums and write data-gathering software. During law school, Mr. Foster served as the 2009 articles editor for The Chicago Journal of International Law and won the Thomas R. Mulroy Prize for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

AZA, or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, is a Houston-based law firm that is home to true courtroom lawyers with a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation, including energy, intellectual property, securities fraud, construction, and business dispute cases. AZA is one of only 32 firms in the U.S. to be recognized as “awesome opponents” in a nationwide poll of corporate general counsel who were asked to name the law firms they hope their companies never have to face in court. In fact, AZA has been hired on many occasions by the same companies the firm has prevailed against at trial. More information about the firm can be found at www.azalaw.com.