A Brief Biography: Richard Hornsby
A Note From Richard: In the past a family would go to one lawyer, usually a friend or trusted community member, for all of their legal needs.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is difficult to develop a personal relationship with any one lawyer and many people feel uncomfortable with lawyers in general. So I provide this information with the hope it will make you feel comfortable contacting me about your case.
The youngest son of the late J. Russell Hornsby, one of Central Florida’s most respected trial attorneys, Richard Hornsby was born in Winter Park and grew up in metropolitan Orlando, having briefly lived in the Florida Keys.
As a child, he attended the Park Maitland School, Lake Sybelia Elementary, Coral Shores High School, and University High School, where he graduated with honors.
High School
While in High School, Richard was active in Student Government and athletics. He was a two year letterman in track & Field, a three year letterman in Football, and a four year letterman in Wrestling.
In 1993 he was Metro and District champion in the 189lb wrestling class and was named to the All County wrestling team by the Orlando Sentinel.
College
After graduating with honors from University High School, Richard began college at the University of Florida, where he majored in Political Science and minored in Religion.
While at the University of Florida, Richard was a member of the 1994 and 1995 SEC championship football teams coached by Steve Spurrier and hung up his cleats in 1995 and became heavily involved in Student Government and campus politics.
Among his student activities, he was Student Government Campus Involvement Chairman, Homecoming Assistant Director, Assistant Supervisor of Elections, Student Government Honor Court Defense Counsel, Gator Growl and Homecoming Web Site Developer, and a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Counselor.
Richard was also a member of Florida Blue Key, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, for whom he served as Vice President. He was honored with the University Of Florida President’s Outstanding Recognition three times.
Law School
After graduating cum laude from the University of Florida, Richard began law school at the University of Florida College of Law, Florida’s oldest and most prestigious law school.
While in law school Richard concentrated his studies in business law and criminal law, received a book award (the highest grade) in Trial Practice, and was honored with a Pro Bono Certificate in recognition of his volunteer work helping less fortunate families through the Volunteer Income Tax Association.
Legal Career
After law school, Richard immediately began working for the Office of the Public Defender in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. As an Assistant Public Defender he was promoted from county court to circuit court in only six months; at the time it was one of the quickest periods of advancement in almost a decade.
As an Assistant Public Defender Richard was honored by his colleagues and support staff with the Office of the Public Defender Performance Award, which is awarded by secret ballot. Additionally, he attended the University of Central Florida part time and eventually earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice.
In 2005, Richard ventured into private practice and opened Richard E. Hornsby, P.A. Since being in private practice, he has become Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar and Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and obtained a second master's degree from the University of Florida in Forensic Science.
Professionally, he has been recognized as Best of the Bar in Criminal Defense by the Orlando Business Journal, as a Legal Elite by Orlando Style Magazine, a Rising Star in Criminal Defense from 2012-2015, and a Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense from 2016-2024 by SuperLawyer's Magazine.
When not at work, he can be found at the local YMCA playing basketball, coaching his son's football and baseball teams, or cheering his daughter on at her dance recitals.