Prior to joining Arent Fox, Tan was an intern for the Honorable Wallace W. Dixon, Middle District of North Carolina (2008 – 2009) and the Honorable J. Douglas McCullough, North Carolina Court of Appeals (2008).

Tan served as a nuclear submarine officer aboard the USS Nevada, where he completed five strategic deterrent patrols. During his service, Tan gained experience in the operation, maintenance, and overhaul of complex technical systems, including nuclear power generation, steam power, hydraulics, compressed air, chemistry, radiation, and electrical power generation and distribution.