Cynthia Timms is Chair of the Firm’s Appellate section. She practices civil appellate law and has a wide range of experience in appellate matters, including state and federal class action proceedings, oil and gas issues, employment law, arbitration, punitive damages, and other civil business matters.
Cynthia was the lead attorney of the team that secured a landmark ruling on the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress in Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. v. Zeltwanger.
She is a former Chair of the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas (2014-2015), having served as Chair Elect and Vice Chair the previous years. Cynthia is also a highly-regarded speaker and often addresses the State Bar and other groups on appellate issues.
Prior to attending law school, Cynthia spent time working in the oil and gas industry as a chemical engineering student. During that time, Cynthia performed engineering studies and made recommendations regarding engineering projects.
Representative Experience :
- Represented an oil and gas company in reversing a $22 million judgment based on fraud and a number of pooling issues. Judgment was entered for the client oil and gas company.
- Represented a syringe-manufacturer and patent owner in preserving error during patent trials and then in largely upholding the judgment before Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Represented Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. in a landmark case before the Texas Supreme Court that had the effect of severely limiting the use of the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress in Texas.
- Represented Mary Kay Inc. in appealing a $2 million judgment involving employment-related claims by a former beauty director. The court of appeals reversed and rendered judgment in favor of the client.
- Has represented a number of clients in challenging class certifications in interlocutory appeals both in state and in federal courts.
- Co-wrote brief in Texas Supreme Court case of Transportation Insurance Co. v. Moriel that had the effect of rewriting the law of punitive damages and gross negligence in Texas.
- Has represented oil and gas companies in a significant number of lawsuits and appeals involving title disputes as to large tracts of producing properties.
- Represented a gas franchise company in obtaining a judgment on appeal following a trial court judgment of $12 million based on a number of legal theories. The Texas Supreme Court rendered judgment for the client.
Education :
- J.D., University of Oklahoma College of Law, 1982
- B.S.Ch.E., Oklahoma State University, 1978
Admissions : Texas; U.S. Supreme Court
Admitted To Practice :
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Cost
Rate : $$$