People
Tom Sprange KC provides advocacy and strategic advice in significant, high-value and complex disputes for a diverse range of clients, including corporations, sovereign states, financial institutions and individuals. A partner in our Trial and Global Disputes practice, Tom acts in a broad array of matters under local, private and public international law. He is described by his peers as: “Mensa-like intellect with a down-to-earth attitude”, “the best of the best“ “He's just a pleasure to watch, I feel sad for the other side," “A-star advocate, he just walks in and understands everything" , “a superb advocate”, “class act”, “remarkable,” a “super lawyer,” “a real star,” “fantastic”, “a very sharp legal mind”, “an excellent advocacy choice across dispute resolution forums”, “a sharp intellect" who praise "the precision, energy and tenacity he projects in front of tribunals and judges" “, and highlight his "great cross-examination skills", describing him as “a unique coming together of legal insight, commercial nous and practical living/implementation” and noting that "He is a master cross-examiner with in-depth knowledge of financial and commercial issues." “He has a magnificent talent in cross-examination“ and that "He is a very good lead advocate but equally adept at managing the team."
Tom has appeared in over 100 cases in the Chancery and King's Bench divisions of the High Court and the Court of Appeal, including cases relating to sovereign immunity, acts of state, conflicts of law, interpretation of contracts, civil fraud, injunctive relief and claims arising from arbitration proceedings.
He has acted as Counsel in more than 300 international arbitrations in the leading arbitration institutes.
He has experience working with clients in numerous sectors, including energy, mining, projects, construction, telecommunications, technology, financial services, real estate, pharmaceuticals, fashion and sports.
Tom is the Managing Partner of the London Office and is a former member of the Firm's Policy Committee.
He is highly ranked in the latest editions of the Chambers Global, Chambers UK, Chambers Europe, Legal 500 UK and Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, Asset Recovery and Construction directories for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, as well as listing for Civil Fraud and Energy in the former. He is described as: “a unique coming together of legal insight, commercial nous and practical living/implementation”, “a superb advocate”, “class act”, “remarkable,” a “super lawyer,” “a real star,” “fantastic,” “impressive,” “smart, percipient and energetic, ” and “commercially astute and a great lawyer” with sources adding that “his advocacy skills are brilliant” and he has “experience in a range of sectors, including aviation, energy and finance.” and that “he is very responsive, sharp and quick to seize the key issues”, that "He has good, sharp comments at every stage of proceedings and really contributes a lot," "He's smart - he thinks and understands quickly and he's good at forming case strategy." "He is a top-level litigator with years of experience and he is extremely responsive." "He is very effective as arbitration counsel." Sources also say Thomas is a “thoroughbred arbitrator who is incredibly smart, ” a “heavyweight arbitration lawyer” and “technically excellent and very creative, with a strong knowledge base and good problem-solving skills”. Furthermore, Thomas is said to combine a “Mensa-like intellect with a down-to-earth attitude” and “an unparalleled work ethic and outstanding attention to client needs”; possess “extensive commercial arbitration expertise”; to “not just go the extra yard in defending his client’s position, but the extra mile”; to be an “accomplished solicitor advocate”; "Tom is an extraordinary litigator. He has a sharp intellect from a legal standpoint and is commercially astute." "He is sensible as a solicitor and impressive as an advocate"; "He is an extremely high-quality advocate and his work is very impressive in this space". "An A-star advocate, he just walks in and understands everything". "He is clever, fast, reasonable, logical, knowledgeable, experienced and creative" and has "great cross-examination skills." "He is so sharp and understands how to bring across difficult and complex issues in a pretty easy and very clear manner." "He is very knowledgeable and creative in his approach." "Tom Sprange is not afraid to argue anything but with a certain charm." "He is a master cross-examiner with in-depth knowledge of financial and commercial issues." "He is a very good lead advocate but equally adept at managing the team."
LL.M., University of New South Wales, with distinction
L.P.A.B. Dip. Law, University of Sydney, Australia
Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
England and Wales
Ireland
Law Society of New South Wales
New South Wales
December 12, 2024
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025 Recognizes King & Spalding Among the Region’s Top Firms
November 7, 2024
Tom Sprange KC, who was named a Law360 2024 International Arbitration MVP, discusses his biggest accomplishment of the year and more
October 21, 2024
Law360 Recognizes Stephen Orava, Tom Sprange KC and Richard Zall as 2024 MVPs
Acting for the Republic of Turkey in the largest ever public international law dispute between two sovereigns which involved a $40 billion treaty claim, public and private international law issues and related proceedings in a number of jurisdictions.
English Court proceedings relating to terrorist financing, state attribution and sovereign immunity.
ICSID proceedings involving claims for $3.5 billion arising from claims for expropriation and breaches of national security, acts of terrorism and acts of state.
See more
November 14, 2024
Insolvency 2024: UK
July 18, 2024
Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution 2024: UK
September 22, 2023
UK: Trends and Developments
December 12, 2024
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025 Recognizes King & Spalding Among the Region’s Top Firms
November 7, 2024
Tom Sprange KC, who was named a Law360 2024 International Arbitration MVP, discusses his biggest accomplishment of the year and more
October 21, 2024
Law360 Recognizes Stephen Orava, Tom Sprange KC and Richard Zall as 2024 MVPs
Acting for the Republic of Turkey in the largest ever public international law dispute between two sovereigns which involved a $40 billion treaty claim, public and private international law issues and related proceedings in a number of jurisdictions.
English Court proceedings relating to terrorist financing, state attribution and sovereign immunity.
ICSID proceedings involving claims for $3.5 billion arising from claims for expropriation and breaches of national security, acts of terrorism and acts of state.
See more
November 14, 2024
Insolvency 2024: UK
July 18, 2024
Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution 2024: UK
September 22, 2023
UK: Trends and Developments
December 12, 2024
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025 Recognizes King & Spalding Among the Region’s Top Firms
November 7, 2024
Tom Sprange KC, who was named a Law360 2024 International Arbitration MVP, discusses his biggest accomplishment of the year and more
October 21, 2024
Law360 Recognizes Stephen Orava, Tom Sprange KC and Richard Zall as 2024 MVPs
LL.M., University of New South Wales, with distinction
L.P.A.B. Dip. Law, University of Sydney, Australia
Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
England and Wales
Ireland
Law Society of New South Wales
New South Wales