NEW YORK – The Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle announced that John Zavitsanos, Archon Ekdikos, has been nominated to receive the 2019 Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship.
Archon Zavitsanos is a member of the Order’s governing body, the National Council, and assumed leadership of the Exarch’s appeal in 2014. A special tribute dinner dance will be held at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan on October 18, as part of the Order’s annual three-day assembly, October 18-20.
Archon George Safiol, Award Committee chairman, said, “Archon Zavitsanos has exemplified tremendous stewardship of time, talent, and resources in support of the Mother Church of Constantinople, the Orthodox Christian Church throughout the United States, and to the mission of the Order of Saint Andrew in which all children of God should be granted religious freedom as a fundamental, inalienable human right.
With the blessings of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the National Council deemed it most appropriate to recognize his efforts and name him as the recipient of this prestigious Award in recognition of the extraordinary service exemplified by National Vice Commander Bouras of blessed memory.”
Zavitsanos was born in in a small village in Lefkada, Greece, to a family of shepherds and tradesmen. His father came to the United States working for minimum wage. Five years later, he brought his family here. They moved in with his uncle’s family in a one-bedroom basement apartment in Chicago. His parents were both illiterate and he spoke no English when he came to America.
However, his father instilled in him two core values: become educated and always support the Church. Zavitsanos was the first person on either side of his family to finish grade school. In a show of gratitude when he graduated with honors from the University of Michigan Law School, he had his father’s name, Socrates Zavitsanos, put on his diploma.
Zavitsanos has been married for 30 years to Joni and has four children. His wife and children all speak Greek. His wife Joni is an artist who focuses on Byzantine iconography like her father Diamantis J. Cassis (also an Archon) before her.
Zavitsanos and his family return every summer to his second home on the island of Lefkada where he runs his law practice remotely.
He is widely regarded as one of the top trial lawyers in Texas who loves trying cases and loves winning. He co-founded his Houston law firm Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing more than 25 years ago. He has tried more than 75 cases to verdict and is the primary author of O’Connor’s Texas Rules: Civil Trials 2018 and 2019, the premier civil trial rules guide for Texas lawyers and judges. He trains lawyers across the country on how to effectively try cases and now represents some of the largest companies in the world. He has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, and many other national publications.
Archon Zavitsanos’ considerable talents have been recognized by every possible legal rating service. For 14 consecutive years, he’s been listed by Best Lawyers in America. He’s recognized for his General Commercial Litigation work in Texas by the highly respected Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, published by London-based Chambers and Partners. He was also named a Benchmark LitigationStar.
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