Atty. Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders

Atty. Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders

Tom Saunders' practice focuses on appellate and government and public policy litigation with a particular emphasis on intellectual property. He has extensive experience representing clients in patent and complex civil cases and has built a reputation as a leading advocate in high-stakes appellate litigation.

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Profile Summary

About Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders at a glance

Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders is a appellate attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. Admitted to practice in District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar and New York, New York State Bar Association. Educated at Yale University (J.D., 2004) and Harvard University (—, 2000). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026). Serands clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Tom Saunders' practice focuses on appellate and government and public policy litigation with a particular emphasis on intellectual property
  • He has extensive experience representing clients in patent and complex civil cases and has built a reputation as a leading advocate in high-stakes appellate litigation
  • He has argued and won two cases, involving patents and government contracts, in the US Supreme Court, where he previously clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  • He has also argued and won cases in multiple courts of appeals, including numerous victories in the Federal Circuit
  • He has worked on more than 70 Federal Circuit cases and led the merits briefing in 6 Supreme Court cases

Practice Areas Explained

Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Appellate Practice

Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.

Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in District of Columbia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in District of Columbia

Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders

Where is Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders's law office located?
Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders's law practice is located in Washington, District of Columbia. The firm is Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders handle?
Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders focuses on appellate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in District of Columbia.
Where did Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders go to law school?
Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders earned their education at (J.D., 2004); (—, 2000).
How can I contact Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders for a consultation?
You can contact Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders received?
Thomas G. "Tom" Saunders's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
Yale University
- 2004
Harvard University
- 2000

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice
- 2026

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
New York, New York State Bar Association

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