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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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18:38
Depending on your stats the answer could also be option C, reapply next year for >50% at Tennessee/substantial $ at other good schools (most spend their scholarship budget by June 30th), but that depends on your situation and goals
18:39
Standardized info on curves is harder to find, but this says Elon curves to a 2.67 which is downright predatory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_law_school_GPA_curves
appreciate it. i am well removed from undergrad and am pushing through for this year. have significant business experience and want to do corporate law and/or property. not educated on the curve and how that works, will look into that
questioning whether i go to school for free at a lesser school or pay some out of pocket at a better name for the same degree at end of the day, the numbers don't lie
18:54
@DisillusionedHomelessWalnut: The way the curve works is a below-median student at Tennessee (curves to a 3.1, so B/B+) can end up with a better GPA than an above-average student at Elon (curves to a 2.67/B-minus), so the student from Tennessee will have a better transcript *and* get better jobs on average than someone with the same class rank at Elon
18:56
Your real alarm bell is Elon's curve (linked here, p. 70 https://eloncdn.blob.core.windows.net/eu3/sites/996/2019/07/2017-2018_Academic_Catalog-and-Student_Handbook.pdf) *requires* profs to give 20% of first-year students a C-minus or worse, when the school's bar for "satisfactory academic progress" is a C+ average
ooooffff. thanks. i mean, full ride is cool and all, but damn
18:59
The only scenario where a school does something like that (curve to a 2.67, dismiss students below 2.25) is when they're admitting a lot of students who may not pass the bar, then flunking people out mercilessly so the school can keep its accreditation (ABA requires 75% of grads to pass the bar within two years, can't fail the bar if the school doesn't let you graduate)
the dean told me "no students had their scholarships reduced in the past three years, and to my recollection only one scholarship in 19 years has been reduced when a student was in good standing"
yeah, i get that and appreciate you validating that point. i like to think it really wouldn't apply to me and assume it happens due to the lower standards of admissions they utilize, but is it (full ride) worth the risk? that's the fly in the ointment
just trying to weigh all angles, seems like just biting the bullet and paying the modest amount to UTK is a smarter decision
end of cycle is for the birds, but i'm playing the hand i was dealt :)
19:06
In general you are going to be better off at a school that wants its students to succeed. UTK seems to fit the description - they are not in any danger of losing their accreditation, don't need to force people out. Elon very much does not, if their bar passage drops 2% they'll be in violation of ABA requirements so they won't give students any leway
19:06
*leeway
i appreciate your insight, friend
manifestmoreadmissions
19:11
im too lazy to provide the same level of detail as JB but I agree UTK seems like a better bet to actually achieve your career goals and set yourself up for success. I would understand being conflicted if it were like UTK vs Belmont or a lower ranked school that isn't considered predatory but because it's Elon that makes it more clear to me
thank you
the counterpoint bouncing around my head is basically "if i'm worth a damn, as i think i am, i'll be just fine no matter what the curve is" but you folks are nudging me in the direction of logic and common sense
manifestmoreadmissions
19:18
plenty of the people who fall behind are worth a damn it's just that some schools are basically set up to screw people over
yeah. fall behind as in....miss homework? can't keep up with readings? something else?
kinda nervous coming in as an untraditional guy around KJD's, billy madison vibes over here
19:21
Re: costs, it's worth looking at costs all around, both schools cost (net tuition, $0 at Elon/$30K over 3 years if you're in-state at UTK) PLUS three years not earning money or advancing in your career, which is worth 6 figures if you make decent money now. $30K in tuition is a small share of total costs in this comparison
19:24
"Fall behind" in this context means law school curves are rigid, no matter how hard everyone studies half the class will be below-median, 25% in the bottom quarter, etc. It's not super predictable either, so a student above GPA or LSAT median could still end up bottom half or 1/4 of the class
gotcha. predatory in that instance is certainly appropriate
manifestmoreadmissions
19:32
i am not kjd but im glad jb cleared that up for you lmao
19:32
And assuming similar class rank, UTK grads tend to do better in public data. Top students at UTK have a shot at biglaw (pays $225K), top students at Elon end up at small/medium firms (worse pay). Average students at UTK can get jobs at small/medium firms, average students at Elon are on the bubble for any firm job at all. Below-average students at UTK have a shot at firm jobs or other work, below-average students at Elon might not get jobs (or pass the bar, or avoid academic dismissal). That's the major advantage of well-regarded schools - more upside, less downside
manifestmoreadmissions
19:32
but yeah just reiterating that you could be worth so many damns and still not do well because its set up for that
19:37
(This is ignoring public service/government jobs, because the stats there don't tell us much about the type of job - "super competitive Department of Justice job in DC making $90K" and "local government job earning $50K" both get lumped together under the "public service" label, but say v. different things about a school's job placement
really appreciate all the insight
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