Richard “Racehorse” Haynes is a real-life Matlock whose dramatic court persona has made him one of the most publicly recognized criminal defense lawyers in the country. Throughout his 59-year legal career, Haynes has been known to re-enact crime scenes, ridicule opposing counsel by mimicking them, and act wildly before jurors.
When he was a teenager, the 88-year-old attorney toiled in Texas oil fields during the summers and played on his high school football team. His coach nicknamed him “Racehorse” for his running style. He joined the armed forces following his graduation, using the GI Bill to subsequently pay his tuition at the University of Houston and the Bates College of Law. Shortly after graduating from law school in 1956, Haynes opened his private practice. Despite his age, Haynes still puts in 60-hour workweeks.
