Houston lawyer Larry Carbo wanted to be a lawyer after growing up watching his grandfather Camille Gravel, a “giant in the Louisiana legal community and a pioneer in the civil rights movement.”
Carbo took on his own leadership mantle this year as managing shareholder of 60-year-old Chamberlain Hrdlicka.
Carbo, who has been with the firm for nearly two decades, previously led its commercial litigation practice and served on its board of directors, succeeded Larry Campagna on Jan. 1 after shadowing Campagna in 2025.
With 86 lawyers in Texas, Chamberlain Hrdlicka was the 41st-ranked firm by headcount in this year’s Texas Lawbook 50. The Houston-headquartered firm also has offices in San Antonio, Atlanta and Philadelphia.
A third Texas outpost could be coming as soon as this year; Carbo says Austin is a key market for expansion.
Six of the firm’s nine newly-elected shareholders are based in Texas. Last week, real estate litigator Jason Kraus joined the firm in Houston. And the firm will soon welcome 12 summer associates, led by eight in Houston.
Carbo highlighted the Chamberlain Hrdlicka clerkship program, elaborated on the firm’s growth plans, and reflected on his predecessors’ legacies in a Q&A with The Lawbook:
The Texas Lawbook: What inspired you to pursue a career in the law?
Larry Carbo: My grandfather, Camille Gravel, was a giant in the Louisiana legal community and a pioneer in the civil rights movement. He was counsel to many Louisiana Governors and is considered the author of the current Louisiana Constitution. Watching him and what he stood for, led me to go to law school [at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law]. When I ask people about him and what made him a great lawyer, they always say he had great compassion and impeccable judgment in and out of the courtroom. I try to follow those character traits in my practice.
The Lawbook: What is your vision for leading the firm?
Carbo: My vision is to continue building a firm that grows thoughtfully and sustainably. A core part of that is our clerkship program, which has been instrumental in developing many of our current leaders — attorneys who have spent most, if not all, of their careers here. We take pride in providing meaningful opportunities for young lawyers to develop their skills and grow into future leaders of the firm.
At the same time, we will continue to be strategic about lateral growth, focusing on attorneys who not only bring strong practices but also align with our culture and long-term vision.
The Lawbook: What are two or three key priorities for the next three to five years?
Carbo: First, we are focused on modernizing our internal operations, particularly our financial systems, to ensure we are as efficient and forward-looking as possible.
Second, we plan to expand our footprint in key markets, with Austin being a primary focus as we continue to align our presence with client needs and business growth across Texas.
The Lawbook: How would you describe the firm’s position in the Texas market?
Carbo: We have a strong foundation and a long track record of success, but there is a meaningful opportunity to better tell our story. Historically, we have been somewhat understated in how we present ourselves to the market.
In reality, we offer a full suite of services for privately-held companies, from formation and day-to-day operations to complex transactions and eventual sale. Our depth across practices allows us to serve as a true partner to our clients throughout the entire business lifecycle. Going forward, we intend to be more deliberate in communicating that value.
The Lawbook: Who have been influential people in your career in shaping your leadership/management philosophy?
Carbo: I’ve had the benefit of working closely with our two prior managing shareholders, and both had a meaningful impact on my approach to leadership. I spent about a year shadowing Larry Campagna, whose calm, steady, and compassionate approach, particularly in challenging situations, left a lasting impression on me.
Wayne [Risoli], on the other hand, brought a strong business mindset to the role. He was an exceptional dealmaker and recruiter, and I learned a great deal from how he approached growth and opportunity. I’ve tried to incorporate the best of both perspectives into my own leadership style.
The Lawbook: What are you hoping to carry forward from Larry Campagna’s tenure?
Carbo: Larry did an exceptional job preserving and strengthening the firm’s culture, even in the face of significant challenges. That is something I view as essential to our continued success.
As we move forward, we will place an increased emphasis on operating as a business and continuing to grow strategically. But it’s critical that we do so without losing the collaborative, collegial culture that defines who we are. Maintaining that balance will be a key priority.
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