Tom was born and raised in Pendleton, Oregon. He graduated in 1982 from Lewis & Clark College with a degree in psychology, and in 1989 he graduated from law school, magna cum laude. Tom joined the firm as an associate in 1991 and became a partner in 1998. His practice focuses on family law, where he has developed a reputation in the community for being straightforward and reasonable. In addition to practicing family law at the trial level, Tom also handles domestic relations appeals. He is a family law mediator and frequently serves as such for the Oregon Court of Appeals. Tom also practices collaborative law and is the current president of the Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners.