The Women’s Bar Foundation presented Destini Agüero, deputy director of LSC, clinical instructor, and director of the Estate Planning Project in the Veterans Legal Clinic, with one of two Nery J. Arrano Pro Bono Awards at its May 4, 2023 fundraising event.
At its annual fundraising event, Whoop it UP for Women! Comedy Night, on May 4, the Women’s Bar Foundation (WBF) presented one of two Nery J. Arrano Pro Bono Awards to Destini Agüero, deputy director of LSC, clinical instructor, and director of the Estate Planning Project in the Veterans Legal Clinic. Destini was recognized for her extraordinary dedication as a volunteer attorney in the WBF’s Elder Law Project, advising low-income seniors and preparing wills, powers of attorney, and other essential documents, as well as mentoring new volunteer attorneys and serving as a volunteer in the Family Law Project for Domestic Abuse Survivors. Destini has been volunteering with WBF, whose mission is to ensure access to justice for low-income individuals, since 2016.
“The WBF is thrilled to honor Christine Kingston [who also received the award] and Destini Agüero’s commitment to providing effective legal assistance to our low-income clients, and for sharing their enthusiasm for pro bono work with the greater legal community,” said Uzma Saghir, WBF President.
In accepting the award, Destini said: “I became an attorney to elevate voices and specifically represent only clients who cannot afford an attorney. I found that representing clients in estate planning has allowed me to do this in a formal way. In times of crisis, when clients truly can’t make decisions for themselves and can’t speak up, or after they have passed away, their wishes are formalized, and they are still heard.” Destini thanked the WBF for giving her the opportunity to work with clients on areas of the law that are “really archaic and complex, and sometimes are structured in a way to oppress people or just ignore people.”
Destini’s pro bono work with the WBF complements her work at in the Veterans Legal Clinic at LSC, where she provides free legal representation to veterans on matters such as drafting wills, powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and trusts.
“We are thrilled that the WBF bestowed this signature award upon Destini for her limitless dedication to pro bono work,” said Daniel Nagin, clinical professor of law, faculty director of LSC and faculty director of the Veterans Legal Clinic. “Destini is a true inspiration to all. She combines amazing lawyering expertise across practice areas with unmatched empathy. She treasures each opportunity to help those who face pressing legal issues and have nowhere else to turn. The entire LSC community congratulates Destini on her well-earned award and thanks her being such a wonderful model for us through her commitment to the community.”