THOMAS FOLEY, COORDINATOR OF THE COMMISSION
Thomas is a dual-qualified US-UK attorney and solicitor with substantial international, litigation, and investigation experience. He is a co-founding partner of international law firm Reinhardt Savic Foley LLP, and the managing partner of the firm’s London office.
In London, Thomas advises clients on cross-border litigations, international dispute resolution issues, international law, US federal and individual state laws, UK law, EU law, and assists on government investigations including advising participants, and witness location and contact. He counsels businesses and individuals on commercial disputes and is frequently sought for advice on jurisdictional questions, investigations, international law and human rights issues.
In New York, Thomas advises clients in complex litigation, often involving cross-border and multi-jurisdictional elements, and involving issues such as fraud, breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, negligent misrepresentation, and hostile work environment and harassment.
Prior to private practice, Thomas served as a court lawyer and solicitor contracted to several departments of the UK Government including the Ministries of Justice and Defence. Thomas worked on several high profile investigations and special proceedings including the Coroner’s Inquests into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Baha Mousa and Al-Sweady Public Inquiries investigating allegations of human rights abuses in Iraq. He also assisted on the special investigative commission into the death of UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld. Thomas was the first US citizen to serve as a judicial clerk and lawyer to the Court of Appeal for England and Wales and served as the legal assistant to the UK’s Head of International Family Law.
Thomas also serves as a Director and Board Member for the Batey Rehab Project which assists and empowers victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the Dominican Republic and as a Mission Ambassador to the Paving The Way Foundation to raise awareness about human trafficking and prevention through educational programs.
In his capacity as Coordinator of the Commission, he has the following roles and responsibilities:
· The Coordinator serves as the principal advisor to the Commissioners and reports exclusively, and is solely responsible, to the Independent Special Commission (ISC).
· The Coordinator has access to all information available to the ISC and is responsible for providing all necessary support to the Commissioners including with the preparation of its reports and recommendations
· The Coordinator leads, oversees and coordinates the work of the ISC Support Team. The ISC Support Team consists of the Coordinator of the Commission, the Chief of Investigation, the Secretary of the Commission and any other support staff.
· The Coordinator will ensure that the guidance and direction provided by the Commissioners is being implemented in the work of the ISC and the ISC support team including ensuring that gender and other intersecting inequalities and marginalizations are mainstreamed throughout investigation activities, responsive to local cultural contexts.
· The Coordinator will establish and manage the operations and administration of the ISC and will serve as the primary conduit for communication and information and manage relations between the Commissioners and the ISC support team as well as between the ISC and:
- the General Secretariat of SOS Villages International
- the SOS Children’s Villages member associations;
- survivors, accusers, witnesses and their families;
- interested parties including current or former SOS CV staff;
- national authorities in local jurisdictions; and
- any other stakeholders.
· The Coordinator will serve as the contact person for the ISC.
