Tom Swanepoel matriculated in 1988 from Pearson High School in Port Elizabeth. He obtained his BLC degree in 1991 at the University of Pretoria (UP) and in 1993 he obtained his LLB degree also at UP, obtaining cum laude in various subjects. On the practical side he attended the full time Practical Law School presented by the Association of Law Societies (ALS).

He completed his articles at Davis Attorneys in June 1995. He was admitted as an attorney on 11 July 1995 and as a conveyancer on 30 July 1996. He was appointed as a Professional Assistant at Davis Attorneys in July 1995 and worked there until July 1996. In August 1996 he joined the firm Alex May and Partners as a partner. He has full appearance rights as an attorney in the High Court of South Africa (Transvaal Provincial Administration). He is currently a director in the law firm Stopforth Swanepoel & Brewis Incorporated.

On the sporting side, he received awards for rugby and athletics at school and currently enjoys cycling, squash, tennis, golf and touch-rugby.