Tom has practiced law in Auburn since 1978. After serving as Chief Deputy for the Placer County Public Defender, Tom has been in private practice since 1982. Tom's practice is limited exclusively to criminal defense and trial work. Tom is one of only several attorneys in the Foothill counties who has been certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the California State Bar, Board of Specialization.

Tom's extensive trial experience in this region includes obtaining acquittals in cases ranging from death penalty murder cases to other serious felony and misdemeanor charges.

In addition to his membership in the California State Bar, Tom is a member and former President of the Placer County Bar Association. Tom was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California in 1978. He is a member, and former member of the Board of Governors, of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice. Tom was a founding partner of Leupp & Wachob in 1989, which firm has since become Leupp, Wachob & Woodall. The firm's office is located across the street from the Historic Placer County Courthouse, built in 1894.

Tom has achieved an "A-V" rating by Martindale-Hubbell and is included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, published by Martindale-Hubbell.