Tyler attorney F.R. “Buck” Files has practiced law for half a century now — and his years of service were recognized last week by the Texas Bar Foundation, when it named him one of six Outstanding 50-Year Lawyer awards for 2015.

“This is an award no one ever expects to receive,” Files said. “But I’ve had a very rewarding career, starting with prosecuting general courts-martial in 1974, up through being part of an appellate team before the Supreme Court last year. And I don’t plan on quitting any time soon.”

Files is a founding member of Bain, Files, Jarrett, Bain & Harrison, P.C. He’s a past president of the Texas Bar Association — one of only two criminal defense attorneys to have been elected to that post in the past 75 years.

Buck received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in 1960. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University’s School of Law in 1963 and his Master of Liberal Arts degree from SMU in 1974.

He served as a Marine lawyer, prosecuting and defending Marines and sailors before the courts-martial of the Marine Corps and Navy in Hawaii, Okinawa and the Republic of Vietnam. After leaving the Marine Corps as a captain, Buck served as first assistant criminal district attorney in Smith County. In 1970, he entered the private practice of law.

He has been certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1975. He also is a charter member and former director of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and has been inducted into TCDLA’s Hall of Fame. The Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar named him Defense Lawyer of the Year in 2004 and presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. The Smith County Bar Association presented him its Justinian Award in 2008.

The Bar Foundation commissioned an oral history to recognize and preserve the accomplishments in Buck’s legal career.

Founded in 1965 by attorneys determined to assist the public and improve the profession, the Texas Bar Foundation has become the largest charitably-funded bar foundation in the country. The Texas Bar Foundation relies on the contributions of its Fellows to improve the lives of Texans. To-date, through the generosity of the Fellows, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $15 million in grants to numerous organizations across the state.

Election to the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas, representing the top one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys. Selection is based on an outstanding record in the legal profession as well as proven commitment to support the community at-large.