Tom Slater was born in Des Moines, Iowa and has lived there all his life. After graduating from North High School in 1972, he attended Central College in Pella, Iowa majoring in the humanities and graduating cum laude in 1976. He attended Drake University Law School and graduated in 1979. Since practicing briefly as an assistant city attorney for the City of Des Moines from 1979 to 1981.

Tom has practiced continuously in all facets of personal injury law, including the area of medical malpractice. He has lectured medical students at Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa and Midwest University in Scottsdale, Arizona in various areas of health care law, including informed consent and standard of care. He has also served as a presenter for the National Business Institute in the area of medical malpractice. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, The Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association.