New Positions

Van Beckwith, a Dallas-based litigation partner in Baker Botts and a member of the firm's executive committee, has been named chair of its litigation department. Beckwith is a first-chair trial attorney with more than 26 years of experience trying some of the largest and most complex cases and handling arbitrations across the nation.

Cynthia Timms, a Dallas partner in Locke Lord, has been named chair of the firm's appellate practice group. Timms is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and served on the committee that drafted and administered the civil appellate exam.

John Guaragna has been named co-managing partner of DLA Piper's Austin office. Guaragna joins John Gilluly, the managing partner for the firm's Texas offices.