F.R. Files Jr.
Buck Files, shareholder, holds a certification in Criminal Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1975), and in Criminal Trial Advocacy from the National Board Of Trial Advocacy (1997). A founding member of the firm, Mr. Files practices in the areas of criminal law and civil rights. Mr. Files received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1963; he also holds his Bachelor of Arts from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, as well as a Masters in Liberal Arts from SMU. He is licensed in both Texas state courts and before the federal bar, and is a frequent presenter at continuing legal education seminars.
Honored by his peers, Buck was inducted into the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association Hall of Fame in 2011 and elected as President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas for 2011-2012.
Buck's office is in Tyler, Texas, the county seat of Smith County, but he regularly practices all over East Texas. He makes regular court appearances in Longview, Gregg County; Palestine, Anderson County; Rusk, Cherokee County; Henderson, Rusk County; Quitman, Wood County; Athens, Henderson County; and Canton, Van Zandt County. He also takes cases in Rains County, Hopkins County, Franklin County, Camp County, Upshur County, Panola County, Angelina County, Houston County, and Freestone County.
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Law and Civil Rights
Certified Legal Specialties
- Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1975
- Criminal Trial Advocacy, National Board Of Trial Advocacy, 1997
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1963
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1974
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1974
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1975
Education
- Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas
- J.D. - 1963
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
- M.L.A. - 1974
- Austin College, Sherman, Texas
- B.A. - 1960
Published Works
- "Federal Corner", Voice for the Defense Magazine, (120+ articles)
Classes/Seminars
- Course Director, SBOT's Advanced Criminal Law Course, 1997
- Speaker, "Confessions", SBOT's Advanced Criminal Law Course, 1983
- Speaker, "Privileges", SBOT's Advanced Criminal Law Course, 1985 - 1988
- Speaker, "Fifth Circuit Opinions", SBOT's Advanced Criminal Law Course, 1990-2004, 2006-2008
- Author/ Speaker: "Trial Evidence in Capital Cases," Super-Regional Judicial Conference, 1993.
Honors and Awards
- Texas Monthly Super Lawyer, 2008
- The Justinian Award, Smith County Bar Association, 2008
- Defense Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of TX, 2004
- Presidential Citation, State Bar of Texas, 2007
- Resolution by the Board of Directors, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association:, 2007
- Outstanding Third Year Director, State Bar of Texas, 2007
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of Texas, Director 2004-2007
- Smith County Bar Association, Former Director
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Charter member & former Director
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2007 - 2011
- TBLS's Criminal Law Advisory Commission, Chair 2002 - 2004, 1999 - 2004
- State Bar of Texas, Grievance Committee, District 2, 1992 - 1996
- Austin College, Board of Trustees, 2003 - Present
- East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association, Past President
- United States Marine Corps, 1962 - 1967
- Continuing Legal Education Committee, State Bar of Texas (Vice-Chair 2007-2008; Chair 2008)
Fraternities/Sororities
- Phi Alpha Delta
