Larry Campagna and Juan Vasquez, Jr

When you find your passion in life, you follow it. Larry Campagna and Juan Vasquez, Jr., both shareholders at Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams and Aughtry law firm in Houston, did just that. They both teach law at the University of Houston Law Center and are now tax attorneys with Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Juan is also a UH Law Center alum.

Chamberlain Hrdlicka has a long association with the UH Law Center, and its recent donation underscores that. The gift of $250,000 funds construction and maintenance costs for the John M. O’Quinn Law Building currently under construction. Vasquez and Campagna spoke of how the law school and law firm work together. In recognition of the law firm’s continued support, visitors to the new law building will be greeted in Chamberlain Hrdlicka Reception Hall.

At Chamberlain Hrdlicka, Vasquez is co-chair of tax controversy and Campagna is a managing shareholder who focuses on litigation between clients and the government. The law school educates students on the many facets of the legal profession, Vasquez found employment due to this training. The duo, with the law firm’s blessing, teach law courses at UH like tax procedure, tax controversy, criminal tax and litigation. As adjunct professors, they pass on knowledge and give back to help sustain the caliber of student excellence at UH.

“Directing the funds here creates so much good,” said Campagna. “While UH Law Center is one of the top law schools in the world, UH is also critical to our city, our state and our nation. Businesses rely on resources and talent from this university. UH feeds the community with ideas and people who go on to enhance Houston’s place in the world.”

Chamberlain Hrdlicka has nurtured a significant number of careers for UH Law School graduates. “Many employees here [at the law firm] are UH graduates-- not just as lawyers but in many other capacities as well,” said Campagna.

“I remember my time at UH clearly,” said Vasquez. “It was a great learning experience, and I have strong recollections of Professor Crump, Professor Chase, Professor Duncan, Professor Mixon and a host of others. They shaped my future--especially my sense of business ethics and the concept of providing servant leadership. We’re in the customer service business, after all. We serve our clients by getting to know who they are as people, representing their interests and being honorable and respectful. And I learned that from my time at UH School of Law.”