Time Magazine called the Gideon decision one of the ten most important legal events of the 1960s.

[citation needed] Born in Lawtey, Florida,[3] Wainwright received a master's degree in criminal justice from Nova Southeastern University, later serving as a temporary faculty member there.

[1] Wainwright served under six governors: C. Farris Bryant, Haydon Burns, Claude Roy Kirk, Jr., Reubin Askew, Bob Graham, and Wayne Mixson.

[citation needed] Wainwright was appointed to the Corrections Foundation Board in 2001 and re-appointed president in 2003 and annually through 2016.

[5] He also served as president of the Florida Peace Officers' Association from 1965 to 1966,[citation needed] where he was still a prominent and respected member.