He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Washington State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho. His practice focuses upon civil litigation in the areas of contract and tort, including cases involving arboriculture. He has been a presenter at a number of continuing legal education seminars including those sponsored by the Washington State Bar Association and the National Business Institute. He has also presented at seminars and conferences sponsored by other organizations in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, and California. He is a former adjunct professor at the undergraduate and graduate level. Tom is on the Board of Supervisors of the Spokane Conservation District and is an area director of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts. He is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer.