Z-man May Have 40 Pre-trial Quirks, But He Wouldn't Trade Law for Anything
Discovery with John Zavitsanos
Published in 2019 Texas Super Lawyers magazine
By John Zavitsanos on September 6, 2019
My nickname is … Greek, Z, Z-man, Zorbo.
I can’t go a day without … Greek coffee and music.
If you were in my office, you’d … hear loud music, see great art, hear 20 different languages.
My colleagues would be surprised to know that … I actually have a soft spot.
When I was a newbie lawyer I … colored inside the lines.
The lawyers I most admire are … Dick Miller and Walter Workman: the two best trial lawyers I have ever seen (both have passed).
The qualities I most like in a lawyer are … confidence and initiative.
My pre-trial routine is … extensive. My legal assistant actually has a 40-point list of my quirks.
When I started, I wish I knew … sometimes the best lawyer in the courtroom does not win.
My career high point (so far) has been … building the best trial firm in the state.
If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be … unemployed.
When I win a case, I celebrate by … We have some very unique parties (3D cakes featuring people in the trial, video skits of facts in the case, case trivia competitions, etc.).
I almost quit the law because … never. I look forward to every day.
The SCOTUS justice I’d like to meet is … John Paul Stevens.
The SCOTUS decision I’d overturn is … Citizens United vs. FEC.
A different practice area that intrigues me is … absolutely none.
My favorite Twitter feed is … What is Twitter? 🙂
I can’t believe more people haven’t read … Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield.
My real-life heroes are … my mother and father.
The talent I wish I had is … playing concert-quality piano.
The most fascinating person I ever met is … Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
The craziest thing I witnessed in a courtroom was … a knock-down fistfight in the courtroom between attorneys for the plaintiff and defense.
The movie line I quote most often is … “Everything that guy just said is bullshit.”— My Cousin Vinny
Nothing cheers me up like … a favorable jury verdict.
The most annoying thing about my job is … keeping time.
If I had a morning show, my co-host would be … Murray Fogler.
If I won the lottery, I’d … do nothing different.
My courtroom walk-up music would be … Beethoven’s 9th.
Search attorney feature articles
Featured lawyers

Helpful links
Other featured articles
Whether he’s on Machu Picchu or repping entertainment law clients, Fred Fierst always finds the way forward
Hannibal Heredia is the family law attorney who’s meticulous, well-prepared, and ready to rock
Six attorneys whose stories have graced our covers reflect on the last two decades
Find top lawyers with confidence
The Super Lawyers patented selection process is peer influenced and research driven, selecting the top 5% of attorneys to the Super Lawyers lists each year. We know lawyers and make it easy to connect with them.
Find a lawyer near you