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Letter of Recommendation

How to write an LOR for a law school applicant
Tags: LORs, Applying to Law School
Apr 2, 2023

Looking for an example Letter of recommendation for an employee who is a law school applicant? Click here or scroll down.

Looking for an example Letter of recommendation for a law school applicant who was your student? Click here or scroll down.

What is a letter of recommendation?

Recommendation letters help collect more info about a person who's applying for an opportunity like law school. 

Letters of Recommendation give admissions committees a more complete full view of an applicants. LORs cover topics like:

  1. Personal traits
  2. Work ethic and experience
  3. Background
  4. Strengths 
  5. Skills
  6. Aptitude for future success

How long should a Letter of recommendation for law school be?

A letter of recommendation should typically be about one page long. This is because a concise letter is easier for the reader to process and understand. A one-page letter allows the writer to focus on the most important and relevant information about the candidate without overwhelming the reader with too many details. Additionally, people who review applications often have limited time to read multiple letters, so keeping it brief and to the point increases the chance that the letter will be read thoroughly and have a positive impact on the candidate's application.

Template for Letter of Recommendation for a law school applicant

Ideally, the person writing the letter has worked or studied with the applicant. The letter should be one page and have three sections: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.

Letter of Recommendation Format

Introduction of a Letter of Recommendation

The writer should say how they know the person and why they're writing the letter. The writer might want to talk about their experience, how long, and when they worked with the person or taught the person. They could also mention any special tasks or jobs the person did.

Body of a Letter of Recommendation

The main section, or body, of the letter should give specific info about the person. This can include:

  1. Personal traits like being calm, confident, reliable, patient, and creative. Focus on skills that law schools look for, like Problem-solving, Critical reading, Writing and editing, Oral communication and listening, Research, Organization and management, Public service and promotion of justice, and Relationship-building and collaboration
  2. Displays of skill mastery such as knowing the subject, solving problems, handling students, mentoring and coaching coworkers, creating lessons, and more.
  3. Special strengths or experiences. The person might have great skills like high energy or excellent talking skills. They might also have unique knowledge or experience like a strong science background, a different college degree, or related work experience in teaching, research, coaching, or other activities.

Conclusion of a Letter of Recommendation

The end of the letter should quickly go over the main points and clearly say that you recommend the person for the school they want. If you’re writing a letter of recommendation for something like law school in general, then make sure you don’t name a specific school in your letter as it will be sent to many schools and this could hurt the applicant’s chances. 

The letter should be written in clear and simple words. Don't use hard words or language that's too general or over the top.

Law School - Sample Letter of Recommendation from an Employer

[Your Name] Francis Smith

[Your Title] Executive Director

[Your Organization] Windsor's Dog House

[Your Home or Business Address] 

[Email Address] Francis@windsor.org

[Phone Number] 123-555-1234

[Date] March 19th, 2023

Admissions Committee

Harvard Law School

1563 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02138

Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,

It is with great enthusiasm that I write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Jimmy Washington for admission to Harvard Law School. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Jimmy in his role as a Project Coordinator at Windsor's Dog House, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs in need. Over the course of the two years he worked with us, I have been consistently impressed by his dedication, integrity, and exceptional ability to tackle complex problems with innovative and well-reasoned solutions.

Jimmy's creative problem-solving skills have been indispensable to our organization. For example, during his tenure, he developed an innovative fundraising campaign that not only raised awareness of our cause but also increased donations by 35%. Jimmy's ability to think outside the box and his keen understanding of how to leverage new technologies resulted in a highly effective and sustainable source of income for our organization. Jimmy consistently displayed a truly unique ability to rapidly understand problems, research them effectively, and then come up with creative solutions. 

Furthermore, Jimmy has demonstrated remarkable legal aptitude and a strong desire to become an advocate for social justice. He took the initiative to research and analyze the legal aspects of animal welfare and rescue operations, ultimately providing valuable insights that have helped shape our organization's policies and procedures. This ability to immerse himself in complex legal issues and offer practical, actionable advice underscores the potential he holds as a future lawyer.

In addition to his intellectual abilities, Jimmy possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills. He has an innate ability to foster strong relationships with colleagues, volunteers, and community members alike. His empathetic nature, coupled with his unwavering commitment to justice, makes him uniquely suited to the legal profession, where he will no doubt advocate passionately for the rights of others.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Jimmy Washington for admission to Harvard Law School. His dedication, creativity, and proven track record of success make him an outstanding candidate for your program. I am confident that he will not only excel academically but also make a significant and lasting impact on the legal profession and the wider community.

Please feel free to contact me should you require any additional information or have any questions about Jimmy's qualifications. Thank you for considering his application.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] Francis Smith

[Your Title] Executive Director

[Your Organization] Windsor's Dog House

Law School - Sample Letter of Recommendation from a Professor or Teacher

[Your Name] Dr. Francis Smith

[Your Title] John Franklin Professor of History 

[Your School] Oaks Ridge University 

[Your School or Office Address] 

[Email Address] Francis@ORU.edu

[Phone Number] 123-555-1234

[Date] March 19th, 2023

Admissions Committee

Harvard Law School

1585 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02138

Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,

I am writing to provide my wholehearted recommendation for Jimmy Washington's application to Harvard Law School. I had the distinct privilege of having Jimmy in two of my history courses when he was a Senior at Oaks Ridge University. In each of my classes Jimmy demonstrated exceptional academic capabilities and unique skills that set him apart from his peers. I am confident that Jimmy would make an excellent addition to Harvard Law School, and I have no doubt that he will flourish in the legal profession.

Throughout my academic career, I have encountered thousands of students, yet few have impressed me as much as Jimmy. In both history courses, he displayed an unwavering commitment to intellectual growth and a genuine passion for his studies. His critical thinking skills and attention to detail were far beyond what I would expect from an undergraduate student, often rivaling those of graduate students.

What truly sets Jimmy apart from his peers, however, is his ability to tackle complex problems with innovative and creative solutions. In group projects and discussions, he consistently brought forth fresh perspectives, challenging conventional wisdom and contributing to a richer understanding of historical events. This ability to think outside the box and his talent for connecting seemingly unrelated ideas will be indispensable assets in the legal field, where creative problem-solving is crucial.

Furthermore, Jimmy's exceptional communication skills and empathetic nature make him an ideal candidate for a career in law. He has a keen ability to articulate his thoughts clearly and persuasively, while also listening attentively to the opinions of others. This capacity for effective communication, coupled with his dedication to justice and fairness, will undoubtedly enable him to excel as an advocate for his clients and contribute meaningfully to the legal community.

Jimmy's academic achievements and personal qualities not only distinguish him as a top student but also make him an ideal candidate for Harvard Law School. His commitment to excellence, creative problem-solving skills, and passion for justice will allow him to thrive in the demanding environment of a top-tier law program, and ultimately, make a significant impact in the legal profession.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Jimmy Washington for admission to Harvard Law School. I am confident that he will rise to the challenges presented by your esteemed institution, and I believe that his future as a lawyer will be nothing short of extraordinary. If you require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] Dr. Francis Smith

[Your Title] John Franklin Professor of History 

[Your School] Oaks Ridge University 

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Windsor MIT '22, Harvard College Advisor

I am the half of LSD that didn't take the LSAT, or go to law school (Sorry about that). But I did go to MIT business school while surrounded by law students and lawyers, so I am somewhat qualified to talk about the intricacies of law school apps and finances.

Windsor (the dog) didn't write this but he WAS a Resident Tutor and career advisor at Harvard College with me, so deserves some credit.

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with dual monitor
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@HorseyMed: the most unrealistic thing in suits is they all use ~one monitor~ takes me out lol you have to use dual to do anything
ilovebritneyspears
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i think you need a laptop for your exams
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ya fr dual monitor is awesome
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I swapped out my shit dual monitor setup for WFH to one jumbo curved monitor and I like it better tbh
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@Grandma: lsd plus
Though not having the full dual setup can be annoying
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@robotarmsapartments: dont get a chrome book or run linux
LoneStarPossum
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@robotarmsapartments: A macbook air would be the best choice. reliable, portable, and good for document processing. I would prioritize reliability you do not wanna be stressing for a new computer while studying.
Yeah MacBook Air sounds like a good deal
[M] Grandma
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Thats so cool! I just thought it was like my M
ilovebritneyspears
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its def an investment but will help you in law school and pay itself off
[M] EmptyGoat
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no but I too have an M
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Just my UT scholarshippppp
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although I no longer use mine
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M squad
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(My mac was admittedly a life changer for me!)
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the Air with an M3 chip was my second choice but i do photography and graphic design too so i needed extra processing strength for adobe suite. but the Air is considered the best for an all around.
For sure, I had like a 2015 MacBook Pro through college and it was fine but at this point it’s ancient and toast
Who do I have to bribe to get an M
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just make sure you get one with more than 8gb RAM shit is not enough for the 2020s
Actually nvm M is a bad letter now that I think about it
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bc it stands for mountaineer?
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!!! Eyyy are you guys the class of 26 or 27 mods?
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