Summer Internship in Bangkok, Thailand

Open to 1Ls and 2Ls

June 29 -  August 7, 2009

The application period does not open until January 26, 2009.  Applications will be reviewed at the beginning of the spring semester, after the grades from fall 2008 are recorded.  The application procedure is given below.  Applicants will be notified about decisions, including interview schedules, in early March, by email.    Final decisions will be made by mid-March 2009.

Program Components:

• Introduction to Thai law at Thammasat University Faculty of Law in Bangkok.
• Six (6) weeks of work at an international law office in Bangkok.
• Support grant of about $1,400 from the East Asian Legal Studies Center.
• The estimated budget for the internship is about $2,250. Internships normally do not pay an additional salary.

Eligibility and Other Requirements:

• 1Ls and 2Ls are eligible.
• You do not need to speak Thai and you do not need previous travel experience to apply for this program.
• Three and possibly four J.D. students will be selected to participate.
• Participants must have or get a passport to travel to Thailand, and participants must obtain a visa if selected. The Center will assist with this process.
• The UW requires 2 months of mandatory travel insurance which currently costs $31/month.

Required Application Materials

The application period begins January 26 and ends February 11, 2009.  Do not apply before January 26.  To apply, submit the following three items, by paper format or email attachment, to the East Asian Legal Studies Center:

1. Cover letter addressed to Professor Charles Irish explaining why you are interested in the program.

At the bottom of your cover letter, give the following information after your name:

UWID number; current status (1L or 2L); expected date of graduation; whether you have a passport; if yes, state its expiration date

3. Current resume.

4. Unofficial Law School transcript  requested from your  "MyUW" web site and sent to you as a pdf file, which you then forward to the Center.

From one of the previous interns:

The Bangkok internship program, coordinated between the Law School’s East Asian Legal Studies Center and Thammasat University in Bangkok, was, quite simply, the best way to spend my 1L summer.  I gained substantive legal experience in an established, full-service law firm and lived in a vibrant Southeast Asian city. 

I worked at International Legal Counsellors, Thailand, a corporate law firm located in Bangkok’s financial district.  Before starting work, I participated in a two-day orientation program coordinated by Thammasat, which included a thorough introduction to Thai business, trade and intellectual property law and tours of local courts. At the intellectual property court, we sat in on a cross-examination, with an English translator, and attended a de-briefing discussion session with one of the judges afterwards.  This provided an illuminating glimpse into Thai courtroom etiquette and legal culture.

My work at ILCT was concentrated in its transactional practice.  One of the firm’s major clients was implementing the security system at the new Bangkok airport, which involved companies of various nationalities.  I drafted several contracts, including subcontracts and sublease agreements.  I also assisted in the firm’s revision of its business law handbook, requiring research into Thai statutory law on foreign property ownership, expatriate labor issues and other cross-border legal matters.

The firm culture was open and friendly. I attended labor court, the trademark registration office and an international law symposium with the firm’s attorneys. Everybody, from the office administrator to the senior partners, was extremely helpful and gracious, making my initial adjustment to Bangkok life seamless.

Additionally, the professors at Thammasat were open and helpful.  One of my most memorable weekends in Thailand was spent at a professor’s home outside of Bangkok.  She coordinated a cultural tour of Ayutthaya, the ancient capital, and other natural and cultural sights, and invited us to spend the night at her home.  It was a great way to acquaint ourselves with each other and our Thai hosts.

Thailand deserves its reputation as one of the world’s premier travel destinations.  Besides its natural beauty and amazing cuisine, it boasts one of the world’s friendliest and most easy-going people.  

For descriptions of other interns’ experiences, see the newsletters of the East Asian Legal Studies Center, available online at www.law.wisc.edu/ealsc

Applications will be considered starting January 26.  The deadline is Feb. 11, 2009.  (Please do not send applications before Jan. 26, 2009.)

Return all application materials IN PAPER FORMAT OR BY EMAIL (skatcher@wisc.edu) to the East Asian Legal Studies Center.

If you have questions, contact S. Katcher, skatcher@wisc.edu, Associate Director of the Center.