Tom Saunders is a counsel in the Litigation/Controversy Department. He returned to the firm in 2008 after completing a clerkship for the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the United States Supreme Court. Prior to joining the firm in 2005, he clerked for the Honorable Pierre N. Leval of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Practice
Mr. Saunders' practice focuses on appellate and government and public policy litigation with particular emphasis on intellectual property. He has significant experience representing clients in patent and copyright cases and civil litigation involving the government and quasi-governmental entities. In addition, Mr. Saunders regularly advises clients on constitutional matters, questions of public policy and strategy, and compliance with government ethics laws.
Recent Highlights
Mr. Saunders' recent experience includes:
- Representing the licensee of a government patent in litigation against the licensee and the government challenging the patent’s validity
- Filing an amicus brief on behalf of a major pharmaceutical company in the en banc Federal Circuit proceedings to determine whether 35 U.S.C. § 112 contains a separate written description requirement
- Representing a consumer electronics company in the Federal Circuit to defend its successful enforcement of a permanent patent injunction in contempt proceedings
- Filing an amicus brief in the Tenth Circuit on behalf of major copyright owners defending the constitutionality of the copyright restoration provisions in Section 514 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
- Representing a software company in its appeal from an award of attorney’s fees in patent infringement litigation
- Advising organizations and individuals on compliance with government ethics laws
- Defending agricultural commodity research and promotion programs against First Amendment and other constitutional challenges
