Benny Agosto, Jr '95

Benny Agosto, Jr., a partner with Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner of Houston, Texas was born in New York City and raised in Puerto Rico. From a young age, Mr. Agosto was taught by his parents that through hard work and determination, anything was possible – a principle he has applied throughout his life, in school, on the soccer field, and in the courtroom. “Both of my parents have a sixth-grade education,” Mr. Agosto shared, “and every day they would tell my siblings and me to be sure to get an education. I remember my father telling me that no one can ever take that away from you. My parents knew the struggles of being a migrant family without a formal education.” Hard work on the soccer field and in school paid off for Mr. Agosto. An avid soccer player in San Juan, Agosto was recruited by Houston Baptist University to attend and play NCAA Division I soccer. He went on to the University of Houston to work on his graduate degree in microbiology and taught high school and college students for six years. Agosto realized that although he loved teaching and coaching soccer, he needed more. He was accepted to South Texas College of Law Houston, where he excelled in mock trial and academics and is now a board certified trial lawyer.

Deeply committed to community, scholarship, and making a difference, Mr. Agosto is a member of many bar associations throughout Texas and sits on the board of directors for a handful as well. Mr. Agosto is the founder of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas (MABATx) Foundation. With the support and help of his family and his staff, Agosto built the MABATx Foundation to benefit young, Hispanic, Houston-area law students through scholarships. To date, the MABATx Foundation has raised over $250,000. The Foundation also sponsors a Law Student Conference and corresponding reception, where scholarships are awarded to young, aspiring attorneys. “It was a personal endeavor, and I am committed to the students who benefit from these scholarships,” said Mr. Agosto.

Although a named partner in Houston’s oldest plaintiffs’ law firm, Mr. Agosto continues his outreach to help and mentor young people in the community through his guest lecturing and speaking appearances. Mr. Agosto frequently speaks to students attending Houston-area schools, colleges, and universities on the importance of jury service and the Constitution of the United States. He also delivers his inspirational advocacy message to Spanish-speaking communities as well as other attorneys, businessmen, and law professors, and is a frequent speaker on issues relating to civil litigation across the country.

“I’m blessed to be able to make a difference in today’s world,” Mr. Agosto said. “I put everything I have into learning and challenging myself, to love and support my family, and to help better my community. Change can begin in your own community, but when you reach out to other communities, you can change the world, one act of kindness at a time.”