Benny Agosto, Jr.

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      Biography

      What do a former international soccer player, a former teacher, and a current legal advocate all have in common? Simple. They are all the same man.

      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.

      Mr. Agosto served as Houston Bar Association President from 2019-2020 and was the first President whose first language is Spanish. As HBA President, Mr. Agosto established the first ever Ruby K Sondock Award, recognizing outstanding women attorneys in the HBA. He established the first LGBTQ+ Committee for the HBA. He, his wife and the HBA renovated the Shearne Elementary School Library. He launched the first HBA initiative to focus on wellness and self-care for attorneys. And he designed and held the first HBA Diversity Summit.

      As the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) 2011-2012 national president, Mr. Agosto brought many important issues to the forefront of the national debate. Although those issues were voiced throughout his presidency, there is also a specific day that HNBA members travel to Washington, DC, and speak to legislators about issues pertinent to all Hispanics. "The HNBA Legislative Day is paramount for us," Mr. Agosto said. "It is an important day to advocate for Hispanics in regards to the fair and equitable administration of justice." Another important HNBA event is the Mid-Year Corporate Counsel Conference. "It brings together general counsels and is an excellent opportunity for young Hispanic lawyers to participate in the job fair, attend seminars on promoting favorable minority hiring practices, and, most importantly, to make connections between members to continue the advancement of all Hispanics in the national legal community."

      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.

      Mr. Agosto is also the President and a Co-Founder of the HNBA's Legal Education Fund. The Legal Education Fund is the HNBA's only 501(c)3 charitable group that raises money to give 100 percent of its contributions toward minority scholarships. As an advocate for gender fairness, Mr. Agosto works with programs to promote flexible and sustaining practices that help women attorneys balance a family and a demanding career. "Females account for 50% of law-school enrollment," Mr. Agosto shared, "which is good and long overdue. But the fact remains that the percentage of women in corporate law remains relatively low and the percentage of Hispanic women in corporate law even lower."

      Continuing on the trend of community outreach, Mr. Agosto has been credited for rewriting a Texas law concerning police officers assisting one another regardless of on-duty/off-duty status. In his landmark case (Hinojosa v. Harris County), Mr. Agosto's client had previously been denied workman's compensation benefits after being injured because he was deemed off duty when he had responded to an officer's call for assistance. Notably, the case, which resulted in a million-dollar award in benefits in favor of the client, was taken by Mr. Agosto on a pro bono basis.

      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."

      Bar Admission

      Texas, 1995

      U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1995

      U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1995

      U.S. District Court District of Puerto Rico, 1995

      Other Affiliations

      Nominations Committee, Hispanic Issues Section Council, State bar of Texas, 2020 to Present

      State Bar of Texas (Board of Directors, 2020 to Present)

      Houston Bar Association (LGBTQ+ Committee, Founding Member and Chair, 2019 to Present)

      Hope Disaster Recovery (President, Board of Directors, 2019 to Present)

      Houston Bar Association, President, 2019 to 2020

      Houston Bar Association, President-Elect, 2018 to 2019

      Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow, 2018 to Present

      Hope Disaster Recovery, Board of Directors, 2017 to Present

      South Texas College of Law Houston, Hispanic Journal of Law and Policy, Founding Editor, 2017 to Present

      Houston Bar Association, 1st Vice-President, 2016 to 2017

      Lone Star Legal Aid, Board of Directors, 2015 to 2016

      Houston Bar Association, Second Vice-President, 2013 to 2014, 2015 to 2016

      United Negro College Fund, Regional Advisory Leadership Council, Member, 2014 to 2015

      Houston Bar Association, First Vice-President, 2012 to 2013, 2014 to 2015

      Hispanic National Bar Association, Chairman, Task Force on Unaccompanied Minors Humanitarian Crisis, 2014 to 2015

      National Conference of Bar Presidents, Member, Program Committee, 2014 to 2015

      State Bar of Texas, Chair, Hispanic Issues Section, 2014 to 2015

      Houston Bar Association, Co-Chair, Law and the Media Committee, 2014 to 2015

      American Bar Association, Member, Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity, 2013 to 2014

      Houston Bar Association, President of the Dispute Resolution Center, 2012 to 2013

      National Hispanic Bar Association, President, 2011 to 2012

      Houston Bar Association, Law Week Committee, Co-Chair, 2011 to 2012

      Houston Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2008 to 2011

      Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors

      Mexican-American Bar Association of Texas Foundation, Founder and President

      Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), President-Elect, 2010

      Hispanic National Bar Association, Candidate for President-Elect, 2009

      Hispanic National Bar Association, Region XII, Regional President, 2006 to 2008

      Houston Bar Association, Member, Minority Opportunities in the Legal Profession Commission, 2003 to 2004

      Mexican American Bar Association, Texas, Vice President, 2003 to 2004

      Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Co-Chairman, CLE Committee, 2002 to 2003

      Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Fundraising Committees, 2000 to 2001

      Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Chairman, HTLA Masters of Trial Seminar, 2000

      State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section, Chairman, Grievance Committee, 4G19, 1997 to 2000

      College of the State Bar of Texas, Chairman, Grievance Committee, 1997 to 2000

      Houston Trial Lawyers Association Advocates, Co-Chairman, 1998 to 1999

      Texas Trial Lawyers Association Advocates, Member, Board of Directors, 1997 to 1999

      American Association for Justice, Member

      American Bar Association, Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities Hearing in Texas

      American Bar Foundation, Fellow

      American Board of Trial Advocates, Member

      Hispanic National Bar Association, Board of Directors

      Hispanic National Bar Association, Co-Editor In-Chief, Journal of Law and Policy

      Hispanic National Bar Association, Legal Education Fund, Co-Founder and Board Member

      Houston Bar Association, Committee on Administration of Justice, Chair

      Houston Bar Association, Committee on Gender Fairness, Chair

      Houston Bar Association, Committee on Judicial Polls, Chair

      Houston Bar Association, Committee on Speakers Bureau, Chair

      Houston Bar Association, Institute and Seminars, Chair

      Houston Bar Association Foundation, Life Fellow

      Houston Bar Association, Judicial Endorsement Committee

      Houston Hispanic Bar Association, Member

      Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Board of Directors

      Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Directors

      Houston Trial Lawyers Association Newsletter, Editor

      Houston Trial Lawyers Foundation, Member

      Houston Young Lawyers Association, Member

      Mexican American Bar Association, Houston, Judiciary Screening Committee

      Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow

      South Texas College of Law Houston Alumni Association, Board of Directors

      State Bar of Texas, Chair, Texas Bar Journal Editorial Board

      State Bar of Texas, Hispanic Section, Member

      State Bar of Texas, Hispanic Issues Section, Board of Directors

      State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section, Member

      Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Member

      Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee, Member

      Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow

      Wesley Community Center, Board of Directors

      Supreme Court Historical Society, Member

      Achievements

      • Other Sources of Feedback About Benny Agosto, Jr.
      • Included on the 2023 Texas

      Past Lists

      • 2022 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2021 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2020 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2019 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2018 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2017 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2016 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2015 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2014 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2013 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2012 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2011 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2010 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2009 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2008 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2007 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2006 Texas Super Lawyers list
      • 2004 Texas Super Lawyers list

      Education

      • South Texas College of Law Houston, Houston, Texas, 1995 J.D.

        Honors: Board of Advocates

      • University of Houston, 1987 Graduate StudiesMajor: Microbiology

      • Houston Baptist University, 1986 B.S.

      • Wesleyan Academy, Puerto Rico, 1981

      Honers

      • Puerto Rico Soccer Hall of Fame, 2020
      • Top 100: Houston Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2017 to 2020
      • Top 100 Premises Liability Settlements in the United States, TopVerdict.com, 2018
      • Invited to Top 25 Products Liability Trial Lawyers in Texas, The National Trial Lawyers, 2018
      • Top Latino Leaders Award, National Diversity Council, 2018
      • America's Top 100 Attorneys®, America's Top 100 LLC, 2018
      • National Latino Trial Lawyers Association Top 10, The National Trial Lawyers, 2018
      • Top 10 Attorneys in Texas List, Personal Injury Law, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2018
      • Distinguished Lawyer Designation©, Noticed, 2018
      • Recognized as Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Category, Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, 2018
      • Humanitarian Award, Male Philanthropist Category, Latino Learning Center, 2017
      • Top Latino Lawyers, Latino Leaders Magazine, 2016 to 2020
      • Legacy Builder Award, New York University School of Law, 2016
      • Distinguished Alumnus Award, Houston Baptist University, 2016
      • Athletic Hall of Honor, Houston Baptist University, 2016
      • 25 Most Influential Hispanic Lawyers, Latino Leaders Magazine, 2015
      • Outstanding Public Service Award, South Texas College of Law Houston, 2015
      • Thurgood Marshall Legacy Award, Thurgood Marshall School of Law Student Bar Association, 2015
      • The Best Lawyers in America©, Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2015 to 2021
      • The Best Lawyers in America©, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2012 to 2021
      • Presidents' Award, State Bar of Texas, 2015
      • President's Award, Houston Bar Association, 2015
      • Top Rated Lawyer in Texas for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability, Martindale-Hubble, 2015
      • Nation's Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015 to 2018
      • Outstanding Service and Leadership Award, Hispanic Issues Section, State Bar of Texas, 2015
      • Houston's Top Lawyers, Personal Injury, H Texas Magazine, 2015 to 2021
      • ADL Civil Rights Medal, Anti-Defamation League, Houston in Concert Against Hate, 2014
      • Hispanic Male Executive of the Year, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2014
      • Trailblazer Outside Counsel of the Year Award, Texas Minority Counsel Program, 2014
      • Texas Top Rated Lawyers of 2014, AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubble, 2014
      • Peter Perlman Service Award, Litigation Counsel of America, 2013
      • Peter Torres, Jr. Community Service Award, Hispanic Issues Section, State Bar of Texas, 2013
      • Top Lawyers List, Oil/Gas/Energy, Medical Malpractice, Houstonia Magazine, 2013
      • Texas Top Rated Lawyer, 2013 to 2017
      • Top Lawyers List, Personal Injury, Houstonia Magazine, 2013 to 2015, 2018 - 2020
      • Distinguished Service Award, Klein High School Debate, 2012 to 2013
      • 101 Most Influential Leaders, Latino Leaders Magazine, 2011, 2012
      • Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Association, 2011 to 2015
      • Lawdragon - Leading Plaintiff Lawyers In America Finalist, 2009
      • President's Award, Houston Bar Association, 2008 to 2009
      • *Texas Top Lawyers for the People honor as presented by Texas Magazine, 2008
      • State Bar of Texas - 2006 Certificate of Merit
      • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated, Ethical Standards and Legal Ability, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2005 to 2015
      • Texas Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2004, 2006 to 2020
      • Texas Rising Star, 2003
      • Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation
      • *Texas' Best Lawyers honor as presented by The Houston Chronicle Best Lawyers - The World's Premier Guide, an Incisive Media publication
      • Houston Bar Association Presidential Award - Two Time Recipient
      • Featured in Texas Trial Lawyers Spotlight First Edition Newsletter

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