Page 27 - Briefcase Volume 36 Number 2
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MUHAMMAD “MO” AZIZ ’03
As a personal injury lawyer and partner at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols,
Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz, Muhammad “Mo” Aziz represents clients involved
in high-profile tragedies on a local and national scale.
Among many other cases, the 2003 alumnus of the University of
Houston Law Center currently represents homeowners impacted by
Hurricane Harvey, sexual assault survivors who were abused while
competing for USA Gymnastics and victims of the mass shooting in
Las Vegas.
“I develop a pretty close relationship with my clients,” Aziz said. “I really
try to empathize with their situation. It gives me the energy and dedication
to work the way I work.
“I love handling these type of cases. They take a toll on you because you
keep on seeing people who have gone through probably the worst thing
that’s going to happen to them in their lives, whether they have lost loved
ones or not. It’s difficult, but it’s rewarding.”
Aziz is a member of several legal organizations, including the
American Board of Trial Advocates, Houston Bar Association, and Texas
Bar Foundation. Even with his heavy case load, maintaining an active
presence in the legal community is a priority for Aziz. He encourages
other attorneys to consider devoting their time to law beyond their
everyday practice.
“You always want to give back to the community in some way that you
can,” Aziz said. “It keeps you involved in other activities that involve the
law and other attorneys. It’s important for people to be involved in these
activities because it really helps the community and it helps your career.
“Lawyers get a lot of criticism, and there are a lot of negative sentiments
out there. It’s good for the community, our city and there are a lot of other
positives to being involved with the legal community, like promoting our
profession.”
Attesting to his devotion to the legal profession, Aziz has received
numerous awards and accolades during his career. He was selected to the
Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers list in 2017 and has been selected to the Top
100: Houston Super Lawyers list since 2016 and the Texas Super Lawyers
list since 2013. He was recently given the Distinguished Member Award
from the South Asian Bar Association.
“It means a lot, and it validates all the hard work,” Aziz said. “There’s a
lot that goes on behind the scenes with what I do. Ultimately you get a case
to trial or mediation, but in some cases there are hundreds or thousands
of hours spent in preparation and getting ready for depositions. It takes a
lot of background work, so it means a lot that after years of experience, my
colleagues recognize the hard work. It’s very rewarding.”
As an attorney from an underrepresented background, Aziz said
diversity among practicing attorneys gives strength to the legal profession
and society in general.
“Diversity is important in every aspect of our lives,” Aziz said. “A lack of
diversity breeds closed-mindedness and stereotyping. The same principles
apply to the law. Houston, to me, is the best city in the country and the
world because when I go try a case, we bring a jury panel in and see all
aspects of the community and all sorts of people.
“It’s important to have diversity in the legal community. Ultimately,
it comes down to your qualifications and hard work. But I think it’s
important that our city and our legal community keep on growing and
flourishing, and diversity is part of that.” ■
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