An international lawyer, scholar, and strategist advancing rule of law and development to achieve a more just and sustainable world
Understanding the intersection of international rule of law, global governance, development, and regulation
Thomas F. McInerney has conducted research and led numerous innovative initiatives to develop and improve the effectiveness of international law and regulation, advance rule of law, and further global development. He seeks to understand the drivers and processes of legal, institutional, and governance change as a basis to improve outcomes for sustainable development, particularly for the most vulnerable.
Tom has advised international organizations, governments, NGOs, and businesses for more than 25 years. He is currently based in Bangkok.
Research Areas
Regulation
How do we design regulatory mechanisms and how do we ensure their effectiveness? How can firms and individuals be encouraged or forced to follow regulatory standards?
Treaties
How can we improve treaty functioning and outcomes? Can we make treaties more compatible with development processes?
Rule of Law and Human Rights
What do we know about how rule of law can be developed? How can we maintain rule of law over time?
Global Governance and International Organizations
What can global governance institutions contribute to equitable development, environmental sustainability, and human rights? How is growing authoritarianism affecting agendas and commitments to them?
Compliance and Ethics
What is the efficacy of current models of organizational compliance? What can technology contribute to raising organizational compliance standards?
Technology and International Law
What new regulatory challenges do geospatial data and AI issues present? What improvements in law and governance do they enable? How do they contribute to effective regulatory and treaty practices?
Thomas is an experienced international and corporate lawyer who counsels global and national organizations
His legal practice spans anticorruption; organizational compliance; ESG; human rights; environmental, agriculture, land, and natural resources law; and development and climate finance.