V.K. THOMAS
Managing Partner
thomasvk@thomasvk.com
TEL: +973 39442560
PRACTICE AREAS
- GENERAL CORPORATE
- BANKING & FINANCE
- COMMERCIAL LAW
- REAL ESTATE
- LABOUR & IMMIGRATION
- AVIATION
Mr. Thomas graduated with a Master of Arts (Political Science) Degree and a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Mysore, India. He has been admitted to the Bar Council of India as an Advocate and practices as a Legal Consultant in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with a vast experience of nearly four decades in assisting / advising clients on corporate matters and representing them in their business transactions in the Kingdom of Bahrain and other countries. He coordinates and supervises litigation and arbitration work of the Firm.
He has been retained as Legal Consultant and Board/Corporate Secretary of wholesale banks, asset management/fund companies, insurance, trading medical service provider, hospitals, schools, manufacturing companies, and hotels (owners and international hotel managers) to provide corporate advisory services.
His main practice areas are: corporate, commercial, banking and finance (local and international), arbitration, litigation, fund (conventional and Sharia compliant; CIU and PIU) contracts, franchise, joint ventures, agencies, insurance, construction, labour and immigration.
His major clients include several local wholesale banks, financial institutions, companies involved in construction, oil drilling, oilfield services, trading, real estate developers, hotels, hotel management, hospitals, schools, audit firms, executive/private airlines, insurance and manufacturing, high net-worth individuals, charitable institutions, clubs and associations.
He regularly participates in international conferences organized by International Bar Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and International Chamber of Commerce.
He has been retained as a Legal Consultant and Board/Corporate Secretary by various banks, asset management/fund companies, insurance, trading and manufacturing companies, and provides corporate advisory services.
The Firm maintains excellent working relationship with all local authorities, including Ministry of Industry & Commerce and Central Bank of Bahrain; major local law firms, and works very closely with them for international/major transactions; coordinates major international and local litigation and arbitration through one of the leading local law firms.
He has advised, in association with a leading local law firm, on various multi million loan/facility/project finance and merger and acquisition transactions.
He has drafted/ reviewed documentation and assisted/advised on Franchise Agreements/ Joint Ventures and incorporation of various Funds and Fund Companies.
His Clientele includes several multinational/local banks, financial institutions, investment companies, funds, construction companies, trading companies, High Net-worth Individuals, real estate developers, hotels owners, hospitals, schools, audit firms, executive/private airlines, insurance and manufacturing companies.
PRO BONO INITIATIVES
- Director of Bahrain India Society, which has been established to promote business between Kingdom of Bahrain and India. Ex-Secretary General for past several years.
- Legal Coordinator of Indian Community Relief Fund, Indian Embassy, Kingdom of Bahrain and advisor to various clubs, associations, schools, charitable and religious organizations.
- Published “Employee Handbook” in English and three Indian language for the benefit of expatriate employees in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- Conducted training session at the Judicial & Legal Studies Institute, Ministry of Justice & Islamic Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain for fresh Bahraini Advocates on procedures and documentation requirements for company formation.
- Conducts regular workshops on labour and employment related matters for the benefit of migrant workers.
- Columnist (labour and employment issues) of a daily Indian language newspaper published in Bahrain.
MEMBERSHIPS/ POSITIONS
- Bar Council of India
- International Bar Association, London
- The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London (A.C.I. Arb.)
- Bahrain National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Board Member - Bahrain India Society, Kingdom of Bahrain