About Thomas Gregory
Thomas Gregory Sprankling attended Pomona College, earning a B.A. in politics and history in 2004. He went on to Columbia Law School and received his J.D. in 2009. Those years framed his legal training and gave him a foundation in both liberal arts and law.
After law school, Sprankling pursued federal clerkships that placed him at the center of appellate and high court work. He served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Alex Kozinski on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 2012. He later had a stint connected to Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2017 under the American Inns of Court program. Those experiences exposed him to complex federal litigation and appellate procedure.
Sprankling joined WilmerHale as an associate in 2013. He advanced through the firm’s litigation ranks and took on broader responsibilities, becoming counsel in 2019. His time at the firm has included drafting appellate briefs, preparing for high-stakes hearings and supporting trial teams on issues that require appellate review. Colleagues describe him as thorough and precise in legal writing. He holds a California State Bar membership that dates to 2013 and remains active in that jurisdiction.
The arc of his career — from undergraduate studies in politics and history, through Columbia Law, to federal clerkships and private practice — has shaped a practice grounded in appellate work and federal litigation. He has handled procedural and substantive questions that often arise on appeal, and he brings courtroom experience from his clerkships into client matters. His background gives him familiarity with the mechanics of appellate courts and the expectations of judges at different levels.
Outside the courtroom, Sprankling has participated in professional circles that connect appellate practitioners and judges. That includes his association with the American Inns of Court, a setting where newer and more experienced lawyers exchange practical insights. His path reflects a blend of public-sector clerkship experience and sustained practice at a national firm.
He currently serves as counsel at WilmerHale and practices in California, concentrating on appellate litigation and related federal matters.
