Michael S. "Mike" Hays

Jason S. McManis is a partner at AZA and the head of AZA’s intellectual property group. He is a skilled trial lawyer with extensive experience in front of the jury in courtrooms across the United States. IAM Patent 1000 ranks Mr. McManis as a leading patent litigator and highlights that he “is often brought in to take over cases from previous counsel” while commending his ability to “adapt to changing circumstances with alacrity.” Mr. McManis represents both plai...

Julie Barry is Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and practices extensively in the area of transaction law, focusing primarily on the representation of small and midsized enterprises. Her practice includes representation of purchasers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of businesses and real estate, lenders and borrowers in connection with commercial and real estate loans, and landlords and tenants in connection with leasing matters.

Joseph Y. Ahmad, a founding partner in the Houston law firm of AZA, is a lawyer for executives and has been recognized nationally as one of the best lawyers in his field. He represents executives in a variety of matters, including breach of contract, trade secrets, covenants not to compete, breach of fiduciary duty and other matters. He was elected to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates, an elite group of the country’s leading judges and civil trial lawyers. He has been se...

Dustin J. Edwards is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Dustin J., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dustin J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alexis C. Knapp is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Alexis C., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alexis C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa M. Kaufmann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Railroad Law and Transportation Law. Lisa M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Hugh M. Ray III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Hugh M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Hugh M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sheryl Tatar Dacso is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Sheryl Tatar, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sheryl Tatar is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kenneth Held is an experienced trial attorney who focuses his practice on business litigation in state and federal courts, arbitration and regulatory enforcement matters, with a particular emphasis on securities litigation, energy litigation and class action defense. His clients range from individuals to publicly traded and privately held companies, as well as private equity firms and hedge funds. Mr. Held has significant experience in securities litigation and defending corporate and individ...

Seth R. Belzley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Seth R., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Seth R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.