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F.R. Files Jr. - Tyler, TX
109 West Ferguson Street Tyler, TX 75702
Bain, Files, Jarrett & Harrison, P.C.
Tyler Criminal Law and Civil Rights Lawyer
Overview
Buck Files is a shareholder and founding member of the firm.
Buck is a criminal defense lawyer who - - together with Brett Harrison - - represents individuals and corporations accused in the Texas and Federal courts of criminal conduct.
Buck began his legal career prosecuting or defending individuals before general and special courts-martial of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy in Hawaii, Okinawa, and the Republic of Vietnam...
Buck Files is a shareholder and founding member of the firm.
Buck is a criminal defense lawyer who - - together with Brett Harrison - - represents individuals and corporations accused in the Texas and Federal courts of criminal conduct.
Buck began his legal career prosecuting or defending individuals before general and special courts-martial of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy in Hawaii, Okinawa, and the Republic of Vietnam...
Buck Files is a shareholder and founding member of the firm.
Buck is a criminal defense lawyer who - - together with Brett Harrison - - represents individuals and corporations accused in the Texas and Federal courts of criminal conduct.
Buck began his legal career prosecuting or defending individuals before general and special courts-martial of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy in Hawaii, Okinawa, and the Republic of Vietnam. After completing his military service, Buck spent over three years as an assistant (and then First Assistant) criminal district attorney in Smith County. Buck then entered the private practice of law as a defense attorney.
Buck has represented clients in the Texas courts charged with everything from the possession of small quantities of marijuana and driving while intoxicated cases to capital murder cases. In the Federal courts, Buck has represented clients charged with everything from white-collar fraud and drug conspiracies to the possession of child pornography. Buck has also been retained by corporate counsel to represent their clients in OSHA, EPA, USDA and immigration cases.
Buck has represented many clients in high profile cases. CourtTV has covered more than 70 days of his trials. Perhaps Buck’s most challenging and emotionally draining case was his representation of a mother who was charged with the murder of two of her children and a serious injury of a third. Buck raised an insanity defense. The jury agreed with him and returned a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity - - the first such verdict in Smith County for at least the past 60 years.
Buck is a charter member and former director of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He is also a long time member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Over the Years, Buck Has Been Honored by His Peers
In 2011, Buck was inducted into the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association’s Hall of Fame.
In 2004, Buck was named the Defense Lawyer of the year by the Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Texas.
In 2012, Buck received The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Texas. The inscription read, “For your endless devotion to the improvement of the criminal justice system.”
In 2007, Buck received a Presidential Citation from President Martha Dickie. The inscription read, “For your belief in our criminal justice system and your faith and confidence that Texas can and must get it right every time.”
In 2007, Buck received the Outstanding Third Year Director Award from the Chair of the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas.
In 2012, Buck received the Tom Garner Award from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The inscription read, “In recognition of distinguished service to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.”
In 2008, Buck received the Justinian Award from the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism and the Smith County Bar Association.
In 2007, Buck was honored by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. The resolution read,
“Whereas F. R. “Buck” Files, Jr. is a Charter Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association;
Whereas Mr. Files, an outstanding scholar and prolific author, has written in excess of 100 articles since 1978, including his “Federal Corner” column, which have all been published in VOICE for the Defense Magazine;
Whereas Mr. Files is a talented attorney and champion of justice, serving his clients with understanding and compassion;
Whereas Mr. Files exemplifies the qualities inherent in a true criminal defense lawyer, always striving to fulfill the ultimate purpose of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association: to promote justice and the common good;
Therefore be it resolved that the Board of Directors of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association pay tribute to the accomplishments of the Honorable F.R. “Buck” Files, Jr.
Buck Has Been Committed to Legal Specialization in Texas
The concept of legal specialization began to be discussed by Texas lawyers and judges in the early 1970’s. In 1975, the first specialization examinations were offered in criminal law, labor law, and family law. Buck was a member of the charter class to be certified as a specialist in criminal law.
Buck served for six years as a member of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization’s Criminal Law Advisory Commission [Chair, 2001- 2005]. In 2007, Buck was appointed to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and served as a member of the Board until 2011.
Buck has been Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy since 1997 by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Buck Has Been Dedicated to Continuing Legal Education
Buck has now written more than 150 columns - - “The Federal Corner” - - for the VOICE for the Defense, the official publication of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He has also been an author/ speaker on many occasions for CLE programs sponsored by TCDLA and by the Criminal Defense Lawyers Project.
Buck has also been active in the CLE programs of the State Bar of Texas. He served as Course Director for the 1997 Advanced Criminal Law Course and has been an author/ speaker at 23 of these annual courses including:
- “Confessions,” 1983
- “Privileges,” 1985- 1988
- “Fifth Circuit Opinions,” 1990- 2004; 2006-2008
Buck served for four years on the State Bar’s CLE committee [Vice Chair - 2007; Chair 2008-2011].
Buck is a Fellow of the College of the State Bar.
Education
Buck received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in 1960. [In 2003, Buck was elected to the Board of Trustees and is in his tenth year of service as a member of the Board. Each year, he returns to the college and reviews hazing issues with the fraternity and sorority officers and those students who wish to pledge a fraternity or sorority.]
Buck received his Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University’s School of Law in 1963. Buck received his Master of Liberal Arts degree from SMU in 1974.
Military Service
Buck is a Marine. He earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on September 1, 1962. He served with a reserve unit during his third year in law school. He began active duty on December 28, 1963, and served at duty stations in Virginia, Hawaii, Okinawa and the Republic of Vietnam until August 14, 1967. He attained the rank of Captain.
Bar Service
Buck served as a member of the District 2A Grievance Committee for the State Bar of Texas from 1992-1996. In 2004, Buck was elected to the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas and served a three year term. In 2011, Buck was elected to the office of President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas. On June 15, 2012 Buck was sworn in by Judge Cathy Cochran of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals as President of the State Bar of Texas.
Life Outside the Practice of Law
Buck and his wife, Robyn are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. They are membes of the First Presbyterian Church in Tyler. They have two children: Jennifer Files Beerline, a lawyer specializing in estate planning in San Francisco; and, Trey Files, a percussionist who performs on Broadway, teaches and tours with ETHOS Percussion Group. They have two grandchildren, Lucy Beerline and Romy Files.
For seven years, Buck was a director or officer of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association and served as President of the Association in 2006.
Buck’s hobbies are traveling and photography.
About F.R. Files Jr.
Practice Areas
- Criminal Law and Civil Rights
Current Employment Position(s)
- Shareholder
Qualifications
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
Specialties and Certifications
- Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1975
- Criminal Trial Advocacy, National Board Of Trial Advocacy, 1997
Other Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas, 2004 - 2007 (Director)
- State Bar of Texas, 2012 - 2013 (President)
- 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, 1999 - 2004 ((Chair 2002 - 2004))
- State Bar of Texas, 1992 - 1996 (Grievance Committee, District 2)
- Austin College, 2003 - Present (Board of Trustees)
- East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association (Past President)
- United States Marine Corps, 1962 - 1967
- Fifth Federal Circuit
Education
- Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas, 1963
J.D. - Austin College, Sherman, Texas, 1960
B.A. - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 1974
M.L.A.
Fraternities and Sororities
- Phi Alpha Delta
Classes and 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
Achievements
Other Sources of Feedback About F.R. Files Jr.
Included on the 2022 Texas list
Past Lists
- 2021 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2007 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2006 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2004 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2003 Texas Super Lawyers list
Honors
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association’s Hall of Fame, 2011 - Present
- Defense Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2004
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2012
- Presidential Citation, State Bar of Texas, 2007
- Outstanding Third Year Director, State Bar of Texas, 2007
- Tom Garner Award, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2012
- Justinian Award, Smith County Bar Association, 2008
- Resolution by the Board of Directors, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2007
Office Information
Address
109 West Ferguson Street Tyler, TX 75702
Phone
Fax
- 903-597-7322
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Websites
- http://www.bain-files.com (Family Law Web Site & Criminal Law Web Site)
Publication
Articles
- DWI Myths and Reality, Strategies for Defending DWI Cases in Texas, Aspatore, 2008
- Federal Corner Articles, Voice for the Defense Magazine, (150+ articles)
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