RHIM Instructor Reed Filley wins 106th Judicial District

Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management (RHIM) Instructor Reed Filley has won the Republican Primary election for the 106th Judicial District. Reed will be sworn in as the 106th Judicial District Judge on January 1, 2019.

Reed graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1998, before graduating from Texas Tech University's School of Law in 2001. In 2003 he formed the Filley Law Office in Lamesa, Texas.

Reed serves in the College of Human Sciences as a RHIM Instructor, teaching RHIM 4313: Legal Aspects of the Hospitality Industry. Reed says there is much to love about teaching students in the RHIM program.

"I enjoy hearing from students who have taken the course and tell me afterwards that they learned more in my class than they have in any other course they have taken," Reed said.

Reed recognizes that the course comes with its challenges, but he enjoys hearing from his students at the end of each semester that he found a way to make learning about the law enjoyable.

"It's comments like these that get me excited about each upcoming semester."

The campaign ran for nearly nine months without Reed taking a break from his instructor position or his solo practice law firm. From dawn until dusk, Reed knocked on a total of over 4,000 doors to gain as many votes as he could.

The late nights and hard work paid off in the end for Reed and his family. Reed finished his campaign running against only one other Republican candidate and zero opponents in the Democratic Primary. Reed explains that this means he will run unopposed in the November general election.

The role as the 106th District Judge covers four counties: Dawson, Gaines, Garza, and Lynn. To provide some perspective to the small population of the area, there is only 1 District Judge in the 106th Judicial District, whereas Lubbock's has 6.

Reed will preside over felony criminal cases and civil cases such as personal injury, divorces, child custody, adoptions and more. Reed stresses that the role necessitates a respected, hardworking, and fair personality to dutifully fulfill the role, aspects he will work to maintain.

"I am committed to showing respect to everyone who comes into contact with the court, working hard to fulfill the duties of the position, and ensuring that everyone in the District has the right to a fair trial."

As a lawyer and instructor in the Hospitality and Retail Management program, Reed says he stays knowledgeable about updates in the hospitality field, particularly Texas. Reed will travel to conferences only available to judges, which provide great opportunities for Reed to gain greater knowledge in hospitality related laws as they pass.

Students in Reed's class will have the unique opportunity to witness pressing law cases with access to court decisions that significantly impact the hospitality industry.

"I have the opportunity to hear hospitality law cases as a Judge. I will allow my students the opportunity to attend court in order to gain first-hand experience in how the judicial system can affect them as they transition into the workplace."