Douglas “Doug” James Haynes, Partner, passed away on February 21, 2008 from acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Doug was born January 24, 1956 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Always an industrious and caring individual, he early earned the name of Dudley Do-Right (DD), given to him by his boyhood friends. As a youth, he always held a job whether working as a dish washer, flipping hamburgers, cleaning school grounds, or as a painter at the Biloxi Shipyard. A major part of his earning went to help his family. When Doug was in the tenth grade, he moved from Biloxi to live with his uncle in Cleveland and seek better opportunities. From a very young age, he dreamed of becoming an attorney to better help his family. Doug finished Collingwood High School in Cleveland and eventually enrolled in Howard University, Washington, D.C. where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Following Howard, Doug enrolled in Capital University Law and Graduate Center in Columbus, Ohio where he received his Juris Doctorate.

Immediately following law school, Doug began his professional career as a legal analyst with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, TN. In 1984, he became an Assistant Attorney General to Ohio’s Attorney General Anthony J. Celebrezze, Jr. He then held a series of positions, notable among them were the McDonalds Corporation, Kobacher Company, and Wears, Khan, McMenamy and Company. In 1992, Doug entered into fulltime private law practice with his wife under the law firm Haynes & Haynes, LLC. Doug was especially proud of his municipal bond counsel work, and of the many contributions that Haynes and Haynes makes to the community, particularly among small businesses.

Doug’s many civil and community activities included serving as a Commissioner for the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, and as a founding member of the David D. White Scholarship Fund at Capital University Law School, and Vice President of the African-American Alumni Association. For over sixteen years, Doug was a faithful member of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Always an ardent lover of books and periodicals, he was an avid reader of the Wall Street Journal and especially delighted sharing trivia of the movie, "The Godfather" with those who enjoyed the same. At work, the caption Capo Di Tutti Capi (Boss of all Bosses) was clearly visible on his desk.

A husband and father of strong character and deep, Christian faith, Doug lived an exemplary life devoted to family, friends, and the community. Whenever one came into contact with Doug, it was always a time of inquisitive discussion and concern for others.

Recently, Doug was honored posthumously by the Capital University Law School African-American Alumni Association with its 19th Annual David D. White Award, for his contributions to and involvement with the Columbus community. The award was presented to Attorney Eleanor Haynes his wife and Partner by Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman.

Doug was proud of the academic, historical and cultural contributions of his alma mater, Howard University, and encouraged all young folk, particularly African-Americans, to strive to achieve their personal and educational goals. In his memory, a scholarship fund was founded to help those who, like Doug, came from limited means but have a strong work ethic and an intense desire to succeed in college. Contributions to the Douglas J. Haynes Endowed Scholarship Fund can be sent to:

Douglas J. Haynes Endowed Scholarship Fund
c/o Muhammad Abdur-Rashid
Director of Development
College of Arts and Sciences
Howard University
2225 Georgia Avenue NW, Ste. 928
Washington, D.C. 20059