Richard T. Haik

Richard Theodore Haik Sr. (born March 1, 1950) is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

Background

One of four children of Theodore Michael Haik, Sr., and the former Margaret Hannie, both deceased, Richard Haik was born in Lafayette but reared in New Iberia, Louisiana. He graduated in 1968 from Catholic High School in New Iberia, where he was a three-year letterman in football and an all-state defensive end/fullback. In 1971, he received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then named the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he was a four-year letterman in football for the Ragin' Cajuns. He received his Juris Doctor in 1975 from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He was in the private practice of law in New Iberia from 1975 to 1984. From 1971 to 1978, he was a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard; from 1980 to 1984, he was a reserve captain in the United States Army.

Personal

Haik and his wife, Kathleen, have three children. Elizabeth, Richard, and Mary Carolyn. Kathleen and Haik have nine grandchildren. Elizabeth's children are Avery, Caroline, Coleman, and Mills Johnson. Richard's children are Maisie and Richard Haik. Mary Carolyn's children are Colin, Cannon, and Vail Duffy.

Judicial career

In 1984, Haik was elected as a state district judge for the 16th Judicial District in New Iberia to the seat vacated by John Malcolm Duhé Jr., who became a federal district judge for the Western District of Louisiana under appointment from then U.S. President Ronald W. Reagan. Haik served on the state court until 1991. He retired from active service on January 15, 2016.