F.R. “Buck” Files, Jr., ’60 has been elected by the state’s lawyers to serve as president-elect of State Bar of Texas. Sworn in during the State Bar annual meeting in San Antonio in June, he will serve as president from June 2012 to June 2013.
Files is a shareholder and founding member of Bain, Files, Jarrett, Bain & Harrison, PC, in Tyler, Texas, where he practices criminal defense law. He is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) and in criminal trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Files, who chairs the State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education Committee and is a frequent presenter, has served on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors and Smith County Bar Association Board of Directors. He is a charter member and former director of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and College of the State Bar of Texas, and a sustaining life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He serves on the TBLS Board and chaired the TBLS Criminal Law Advisory Commission, served on the State Bar District 2 Grievance Committee, and is a past president of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association. Files has been recognized with a State Bar Presidential Citation and Outstanding Third-Year Director Award as well as the Smith County Bar Association Justinian Award. He also was named Defense Lawyer of the Year by the State Bar Criminal Justice Section.
After graduating from Austin College, he earned a master’s degree in liberal arts from Southern Methodist University, a J.D. from Southern Methodist University School of Law, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Files currently is a member of the Austin College Board of Trustees.