Shareholder
Location: Tyler, Texas
Phone: 903-258-9447
Toll Free: 888-691-1249
Fax: 903-597-7322
E-mail: E-mail Me
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.
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)
- Hats Off To the Capital Habeas Lawyers and To Their Successes
- 11(c)(1)(C) Plea Agreements - It's All or Nothing
- The Challenge of Convincing Federal Judges to Impose Sentences Below the Advisory Guidelines Range
- "Pitt Bulls and Dominatrixes Win -- Cats, Dogs, Monkeys, Mice and Hamsters Lose."
- Throw Open the Courtroom Doors to the Public
- Please Don't Take My Lawyer Away From Me!
- Will the Fifth Circuit Change its Opinion in Pack or Grant En Banc Review?
- How Much Back Time Do I Get Credit For?
- Your Homework Assignment is to Read and Re-read the Grober Cases
- Old Information Ain't Necessarily Stale Information
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, Member, 2007 - Present
- TBLS's Criminal Law Advisory Commission, Chair (2002 - 2004)
- State Bar of Texas, Grievance Committee, District 2, 1992 - 1996
- Austin College, Board of Trustees
- 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)
- Criminal Law Commission, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1999-2004 (Chair 2001-2004)
Fraternities/Sororities
- Phi Alpha Delta
