I got given a secondhand I-pad and it is locked to an apple ID/ account of previous owner. Is there a way I can reset it and use my apple account to set the I-pad up and use it?

Sorry, no.

If you are talking about "activation lock" (an anti-theft measure), neither we, just users like you, nor Apple can help you, sorry, unless you are the original owner and you still have the proof of purchase (receipt/invoice reporting your device’s IMEI or Serial Number). Should be this case, start your request using this link: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support

Shouldn’t be this case, activation lock can be removed only by the previous owner, with the credentials that were used to activate that iPhone/iPad. Without those credentials, that device is useless to you.

You can also take a look at this support article:--> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Regards

Giulio

What you are seeing is related to this:

"Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch" is a security feature, one aspect of which is deterring re-selling of stolen devices. To learn more click here --> http://support.apple.com/HT201365

An activation lock can only be removed using information for the account that applied the lock. If you know this information follow the onscreen steps to enter the Apple ID and password used to set up the device, or enter the device passcode.

How to remove Activation Lock - https://support.apple.com/HT201441

If you do not know the required information and you are not the original owner, get the owner of the account to remove the lock or return the device for a refund or recycle it. The device is otherwise useless to you. If the owner is unknown and has not provided contact information as a message showing in the login screen, there is no way to contact the owner unless the person who gave you the device knows them.

No.

Ask the giver to remove their information.