THOMAS J. EPPLING was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 6, 1957. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University. Mr. Eppling then began working as an engineer in the offshore oil industry at McDermott, Inc., and subsequently for Exxon Company USA. He attended Loyola University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 1984, and upon graduating from law school, became an associate with the firm of Bailey & Leininger. Mr. Eppling joined another firm, subsequently becoming a partner at Aucoin, Unland & Eppling.

In February, 1992, Mr. Eppling and Mr. Staines formed the law firm of Staines & Eppling. Mr. Eppling is a member of the American Bar Association (Member: Tort and Insurance Practice; Litigation); Louisiana State Bar Association (Member: Insurance, Negligence, Compensation and Admiralty; Fidelity, Surety and Construction Law); Jefferson Bar Association; Maritime Law Association of the United States; Houston Mariners Club; New Orleans Claims Association; Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel; and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Louisiana. He is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; United States District Courts, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana; all Louisiana state courts; and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Eppling is the father of three daughters.