Richard H Caldwell

Richard was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on January 9, 1939. At age 10, his family moved to Houston, where he grew up in the Heights. As a student at Reagan High School, Richard demonstrated early talent as an oral advocate by winning the state championship in debate.

Richard worked his way through the University of Houston and then graduated from Harvard Law School in 1963. He returned to Houston as a law clerk to Federal Judge Joe Ingraham, with whom he formed a close and lasting personal friendship. During his clerkship, he met his wife Janet, and they formed a life-time partnership.

Richard commenced his career as a trial lawyer immediately after he completed his clerkship. Over the 45 years of his career in trial practice, he handled every type of civil litigation, including complex securities matters, contested corporate takeovers, product liability cases and contract disputes. He was particularly proud of his successful representation of Beech Aircraft in airplane crash litigation over the decades in which he served as its counsel in Texas. Richard concluded his career as a Senior Partner with Andrews Kurth LLP and continued handling some of the firm's most difficult cases through 2009.

Richard had an uncommon combination of talents. His background growing up in the Heights made him a highly effective jury lawyer with an instinctive feel for the common sense concerns of jurors. But he was also an insightful motion and appellate practitioner who made precise and persuasive written and oral arguments. He was particularly effective at analyzing and assessing the value of cases at an early point in their development.

Richard handled his professional responsibilities with civility and integrity. He treated judges, court personnel and opposing lawyers with respect and dignity, and he never pressed the boundaries of intellectual honesty in his advocacy. Richard's sole commitment was to honest representation of clients before the courts.

Richard brought to his clients a unique dedication and to their cases a relentless energy. He left no detail unconsidered or unattended - occasionally to the distraction of his colleagues. Richard's professional life was dedicated to the proposition that every detail was worthy of being mastered in service to his client.

Richard's most lasting legacy to the trial bar is the many young lawyers whom he recruited, trained, and mentored. This was perhaps his most valuable contribution to building the Mayor Day & Caldwell law firm, which he helped found in 1982 and which grew to over 100 lawyers before merging with Andrews Kurth LLP in 2001.

Richard was not just a trial lawyer; he was a man of parts. He had a kinetic energy that he devoted to other pursuits as well. He and Janet shared great enthusiasms for Broadway Theater, Pre-Columbian and contemporary art, travel, photography and gardening. Richard pursued all of them with the same intensity he brought to his law practice. Reflecting his populist roots, Richard was also a lifetime Yellow Dog Democrat and, even though grievously ill, took an intense interest in the upcoming elections.

Richard mainly collected close friends. He was an enormously gregarious man who enjoyed his fellow lawyers and friends — an after hours party at the Caldwells' home never halted at his request. He was entirely loyal and devoted to his friends and they were to him. His death leaves a void in their lives that is inadequately replaced by the memory of his friendship.

Richard is survived by his adored wife, Janet, his son, Christopher and his granddaughter, Michelle, who entirely captured Richard's affection.

Richard remained close to his family throughout his life. He is also survived by his sister and her husband, Jeanette and Shelton Voelkel, and was predeceased by his parents, Doris and Howard Caldwell, and his two sisters, Shirley Thomas and Bettye Wright.

A reception celebrating Richard's life will be held at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Boulevard, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 25th.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Livestrong: http://austin2010.livestrong.org (Participant's Name: CHRIS CALDWELL); Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe, Houston, Texas 77030; The Houston Symphony, 615 Louisiana, Suite 102, Houston, Texas 77002; or a charity of your choice.