Thomas G. Saunders

Thomas G. Saunders: Professional Summary

Thomas G. Saunders is a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, where his practice focuses on high-stakes appellate litigation with a significant emphasis on intellectual property law. His patent-related work spans a variety of technology sectors, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, software, and telecommunications, representing clients in complex appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. His experience includes matters involving claim construction, joint infringement, obviousness, and patent royalties.

While the provided data shows a single appearance for a plaintiff, Mr. Saunders' broader career reflects a practice of representing both patent holders and accused infringers in significant appellate disputes. He has represented a diverse array of major operating companies, including Akamai, Qualcomm, and Marvel Entertainment, indicating a practice that is not limited to one side of the docket. His role is consistently as appellate counsel, concentrating on briefing and arguing dispositive legal issues after trial.

Mr. Saunders has spent his career at WilmerHale, having returned to the firm after prestigious clerkships. He has argued and won two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including the patent-related case Kimble v. Marvel Entertainment, LLC, which affirmed a long-standing rule against post-expiration patent royalties. He has argued numerous cases before the Federal Circuit, securing victories in matters such as Akamai Technologies, Inc. v. Limelight Networks, Inc. on the standard for joint infringement and OSI Pharmaceuticals, LLC v. Apotex Inc., where he successfully reversed a PTAB decision invalidating a patent for a cancer drug. His work frequently involves appeals from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), demonstrating significant experience in that forum.

Mr. Saunders earned his J.D. from Yale Law School and his A.B., summa cum laude, from Harvard University. He served as a law clerk for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the U.S. Supreme Court and for Judge Pierre N. Leval of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He is admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia and New York.