In the legal profession, “knowledge from textbooks” may only cover half the journey. The other half lies in real-world experience, earned through hands-on training in the field. That is why internships are a crucial step that every aspiring lawyer must go through. Today, we hear from Supasit Siri, also known as Lawyer Arm, owner of Wongsakorn Law Office, as he shares his insights, reasons, and intentions behind mentoring law interns.
Q: Why is an internship such an important step before becoming a full-fledged lawyer?
A: My definition of being a lawyer is providing legal services. If you’ve never worked, never interned, and never been in the field from gathering facts and evidence to understanding the context you simply won’t grasp the realities. Without that, when you start working as a lawyer, you might expect to be paid, say, 25,000 baht per month without actually knowing how to do anything. Employers will be baffled and unwilling to hire you. This is why I emphasize the need to understand the role before stepping into it.
Q: How is a legal internship different from other professions?
A: In law, even small details matter like writing petitions, motions, or statements. If you’ve never done it, you won’t know where to start. You might not even know which door to use at a prison, or the correct procedure in court. Sure, using the court’s standard forms is easy, but for me, that’s not enough. You need to understand and explain why bail should be granted?.
Q: What does an internship teach that universities cannot?
A: Universities in Thailand train students to make legal conclusions but rarely teach the process. For example, in a theft case where a suspect stole from a convenience store, law school might teach the legal principles, but not the practical steps: who to speak to first, what documents to prepare, and how to frame the case. Internships give you this hands-on procedural knowledge.
Q: How does an internship shape a lawyer’s ethics?
A: It teaches you to act in ways that do not violate morality, placing ethics above all else. For example, there’s a difference between fabricating evidence and creating admissible evidence. If a client lacks funeral expense receipts, you can prepare a statement on their behalf this is legal and ethical.
Q: Are there any memorable events from your internship days?
A: My first internship involved a mediation at the Thonburi Civil Court. I was working for an insurance company’s side. I saw unethical tactics deliberately dragging out the process to frustrate the opposing party so they’d give in. This was wrong, and I’m glad I realized it early.
Q: Have you encountered interns who feel discouraged? How do you advise them?
A: Many interns don’t fully understand the true nature of legal work. In law, mistakes can mean losing a case there are no “retakes.” Interns should be grateful for the opportunity to learn, because practical experience is what leads to professional competence.
Q: How should the internship system improve in the future?
A: Some lawyers just sign off on internship forms without real training this is harmful. Many students choose internships purely based on convenience, without considering the real-world demands of legal practice. A true lawyer should be ready to work anywhere in Thailand or even abroad, such as in arbitration cases in France, copyright disputes in Japan, or contract disputes requiring proceedings in China.
Q: Some see internships as just a requirement for the bar exam. What’s your message to them?
A: That mindset is dangerous. Internships are part of entering the justice system, and all legal careers require this preparation to work effectively.
Q: How does Wongsakorn Law Office train and support interns?
A: We expose interns to cases from the very start whether at prisons, police stations, or client meetings while instilling ethical principles. For example, we don’t let clients treat us to meals, as this could lead to conflicts of interest.
Q: What inspired you to offer internship opportunities?
A: Early in my career, I lacked opportunities to intern at an actual law firm. Over time, I realized that internships need not be limited to law offices. My goal is to recruit talent through internships and train them to a professional standard, even starting from zero experience.
Q: Any final advice for law students or future interns?
A: Don’t limit yourself with preconceived notions about where to intern. From my 10+ years in practice, I believe the most valuable internships are at police stations or law offices places where you truly learn the legal process.
For Lawyer Arm, an internship is not just the first step toward passing the bar—it’s an immersion in the realities of legal work, from handling real cases to mastering the ethical standards of the profession. At Wongsakorn Law Office, interns are more than temporary assistants; they are nurtured to become future professionals. If you truly want to gain practical experience and understand the full legal process, you are welcome to join our internship program. We are committed to helping the next generation of legal talent grow.