He has represented and appeared on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts, and has directly represented clients in settlement negotiations, depositions, mediation, special master, and trial settings. Tom founded the California Water Law Symposium and is a board member. He is also a former whitewater raft guide and Colorado Outward Bound instructor. Tom holds a JD from the University of San Francisco School of Law and a BA from the University of Vermont.