by Maria Khan
Staff Writer
If he's not on your side, you might consider getting down on your knees and praying, because this man's track record just screams and yells success. If he is on your side, be thankful he even had the time to accept your case.
Richard "Racehorse" Haynes has gone from a student career at the University of Houston that included a stint as Student Association president to earning a reputation as one of the most feared and regarded high-profile attorneys in the nation.
"He has an excellent reputation in the legal community as a top-notch criminal defense lawyer," said Irene Rosenberg, a law professor.
Haynes will be speaking at the annual meeting of the UH Law Alumni Association at 11:30 a.m. on May 14 at the Doubletree Hotel.
He said he will be talking about how far the law school has advanced in 50 years. "That's a very short time, compared to Yale, Harvard or Michigan," he said.
He also wants to encourage the law alumni to give not only to the law school, but to other colleges as well.
"The graduates of the college of education don't make enough to give back," Haynes said, "so other disciplines, like law, optometry and engineering, they all need to contribute. I have the opportunity to speak, so I'll seize the moment."
Haynes' office is a testament to Texas history. The stretched leather chairs with brass studs, a saddle resting on a sofa armrest and a huge, messy desk are the first things you notice.
Haynes leans back in his chair, and his demeanor does not seem that of a feared litigator.
How does he explain his intimidation factor? "I prepare. I leave no stone unturned."
Behind Haynes' desk is a wall of leather-bound books, his self-confessed weakness.
However, his office seems to have no walls. In place of the walls are a plethora of plaques, awards and honors.
Some are even on the ground, leaning against bookshelves because there is simply no place for them.
But Haynes is not all just about the law and awards. He is also a decorated war hero, former amateur boxing champion, skydiver, moto-cross and sports-car race driver and avid sailor.
As a paratrooper during the Korean conflict, he jumped out of a lot of military planes.
"Now that President Bush jumped, I may go make me another one," Haynes said. "That's exciting."
Some of his courtroom dramas have been fodder for authors looking for new ideas. Several books and a television movie have played up his courtroom heroics and grand strategies for getting the jury to acquit.
Haynes successfully represented Vicki Daniel, accused of killing her husband, then-Speaker of the House of Texas Price Daniel Jr. According to law Professor Robert Schuwerk, Haynes broke new ground in defending women.
"He really pioneered in the defense of women accused of killing abusive spouses or lovers," Schuwerk said. "It used to be that the state could get a conviction on those charges very easily. But not anymore, and it's due to (Haynes)."
T. Cullen Davis, whom the Houston Chronicle compared to O.J. Simpson in a recent news story, was accused of killing his soon-to-be ex-wife and her lover. He was also acquitted under Haynes' representation.
"He's one of the most celebrated lawyers who has graduated from the law school," said law Professor Sandra Guerra.
All accolades aside, this Harley-riding lawyer considers a case he worked pro bono to be the most significant one for him.
The trial took place years ago and involved a man falsely accused of theft. Haynes represented him, and the jury acquitted.
"They had a party for me in the ghetto. The children had decorated the walls with drawings and posters that said, 'Thank you Mr. Lawyer,'" Haynes said with a smile. "That's when I felt it doesn't get better than this."
Fat fee or no fee (although he does admit that the outrageous fees haven't been all that bad), Haynes loves what he does.
"To be considered one of freedom's trustees. It's significant."
In 1988, Haynes was inducted in the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association "Hall of Fame."
"Considering that most of the inductees are dead, I'd say it's a good thing. I ain't dead yet. I hope this is not an illusion," Haynes said with a chuckle.