Thomas Herbert graduated with a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University in 1950.

His father announced he would retire from the Ohio Supreme Court, and not seek re-election in 1968.

Thomas Herbert ran for the seat that year, and defeated Merrill D. Brothers.

[3] In 1978, Herbert ran for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, but lost to Democrat Frank Celebrezze.

Governor Jim Rhodes appointed David Dudley Dowd, Jr. to the unexpired months of Herbert's term.