Who Should Write My Law School Letters of Recommendation?

You are responsible for compiling most of your law school application, but when it comes to letters of recommendation, you’ll need to invite a few people who know you best into the process. Think of them as star witnesses building your case for being a top prospect. 

Make sure your recommender is the right fit. 

Who can best describe you? Who can speak to your personal, professional and/or educational experiences? Who can detail the traits you embody that are important to the study and practice of law, like academic prowess, grit, time-management, and work ethic? Those are the people you should ask to write letters on your behalf. 

It helps for recommenders to include instructors you've worked closely with during your previous coursework. If you have not had recent contact with past professors (say, the last five years), think about requesting letters from employers and/or colleagues.  

Never submit recommendations from relatives or family friends. Most admissions committees will not consider them. Also, be wary of asking professors from college who can't personalize the letter (for instance, an instructor from a large seminar class with whom you had minimal interaction). 

Help your recommenders help you. 

Give your recommenders advance notice to prepare the letter (at least a month). This allows them adequate time to write a thoughtful, impactful letter, and saves you from worrying about completing your application on time. To help your recommenders tailor the letter to your skills and experience, send them your resume and transcript as a reference. Remember to include any instructions the school you’re applying to has provided for submitting the letter. 

Prioritize quality over quantity.  

Follow the application guidelines on how many letters you can submit – most schools will state the minimum and maximum number. Keep in mind that these letters can greatly enhance or detract from your application, so quality is better than quantity. Two glowing letters from people who meet all the criteria of a great recommender are much better than four lackluster letters from loose connections. 

For more tips and advice, join us on one of our upcoming webinars, including specific Letters of Recommendation workshops.