Tom was born in Great Falls, Montana, on August 25, 1955. He attended the University of Oregon and received his B.A. degree from the University of Montana in 1978. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Gonzaga University in 1981. He has practiced law in Great Falls since 1982 and his practice includes litigation, mediation, insurance law, products liability and commercial law.
Tom and his wife, Antonia Marra, who is also an attorney, have two children.
Tom was admitted to the Montana State Bar in 1981, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, District of Montana; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeal, Eighth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court; and U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Tom is a member of the Cascade County and American Bar Associations. He is also a member of the American Association for Justice and the Montana Trial Lawyers Association, and is currently serving on the Procedural Rules Committee for the Workers Compensation Court.