COURTESY Shown (left to right) are Fred Head, Robyn Files, Buck Files and Marsha Head as they visit following former State Bar President Files’ farewell speech at the 50 Year Lawyer Recognition Luncheon.

The State Bar of Texas recognized two East Texas attorneys Friday for serving as Texas lawyers for 50 years.

Fred Head, of Athens, and Tyler Attorney and Outgoing State Bar President Buck Files received the recognition, according to a news release. The recognition came at the State Bar of Texas convention in Dallas.

Both Files and Head, who served Smith, Henderson and other East Texas counties as a state representative for the State Bar of Texas for 14 years, maintain active law practices from their downtown offices in Athens and Tyler, respectively.

“We and our wives feel very blessed to be a part of the East Texas Family of hard working, God-fearing individuals and we give thanks that the Lord has watched over us and given us the strength and good health to continue our active work in behalf of the people of Texas,” Files and Head said in a prepared joint statement after receiving the recognition.