Tom was born and raised in the Beaches area of East Toronto. Tom attended the University of Toronto where he obtained an honours degree in bio-chemistry and a Bachelor degree in commerce. He subsequently received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor and was called to the bar in London in 1978. He opened his first practice in partnership with a classmate in London, Ontario with the primary emphasis on Corporate, Commercial, Real Estate, Wills and Estate Planning and has continued that emphasis to the present date. Tom is married and has four children.