From left: Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, Justice David Medina, Judge Caroline Baker, Kay Sim, Raul Peimbert, and Benny Agosto Jr.

The Mexican-American Bar Association of Texas Foundation held its 13th annual scholarship luncheon that benefits Hispanic law students attending one of the three Houston-based law schools on Wednesday, August 22 at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Houston.

The scholarships were awarded to law students who best exemplify leadership, commitment, justice, and equality within the Hispanic community and beyond.

“It is important that we encourage a new generation of lawyers to not only be great lawyers but to also give back to the legal community,” said Benny Agosto Jr., founder and president of the Mexican-American Bar Association of Texas Foundation and partner at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz in Houston.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization that encourages justice and leadership within the Hispanic community.

The scholarship luncheon also honors men and women who exemplify the ideals of the foundation. This year the honorees were: Judge Caroline E. Baker of the 295th Judicial District Court, Harris County (Outstanding Service in the Judiciary); Maria Moncada of BMW of West Houston (Outstanding Service in the Community as a Business Executive); Raul Peimbert of KXLN-TV (Outstanding Service in Media); Harris County Judge Ed Emmett (Outstanding Service as a Public Servant); and Kay Sim, executive director of the Houston Bar Association (Lifetime Award).