Thom Cox is a native and lifelong resident of St. Petersburg, Florida. Mr. Cox completed his high school education on an accelerated program, in three years, and college in two and one half years; graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and History from Morehead State University. He continued his education at Stetson University College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1983.

Mr. Cox, an experienced civil trial lawyer in St. Petersburg, is an active member in a number of law-affiliated groups, including the St. Petersburg Bar Association and the Florida Bar Grievance Committee. He is a former certified circuit/civil mediator and arbitrator, and former Special Tax Master for the Pinellas County Tax Collector.