Our office recommends that students submit two to three (2–3) letters of recommendation for their law school applications. Most students submit three strong letters, which is the standard expectation across law schools. 

Generally, we recommend students aim for: 

Required / Strongly Recommended 

• 1–2 letters from Faculty
  Ideally from professors who can speak to your writing ability, analytical reasoning, class participation, and academic potential. These can be from any discipline, but law schools value letters from courses involving substantial writing, research, or critical thinking (e.g., Political Science, Philosophy, English, History, Economics, Sociology, Honors seminars, etc.). 

• 1 letter from a Professional, Research, or Leadership Supervisor
  This may include supervisors from internships, research settings, RA positions, student leadership roles, legal internships, moot court coaches, or work experience. They should be able to speak to your responsibility, judgment, communication skills, initiative, and professional ethics. 

Optional (Use Only if Significant) 

• 1 letter from an Attorney or Legal Professional (optional)
  This letter can be helpful if the recommender knows you well and can provide insight beyond simply your interest in law. However, law schools generally prefer academic letters over purely professional ones unless the recommender has supervised you closely. 

• 1 character or community-based reference
  Appropriate only if the individual has observed your leadership, service, or long-term personal development in a meaningful way. Avoid letters from family friends or personal acquaintances who cannot comment on substantive skills. 

Important Note on School Limits 

Some law schools cap recommendations at two letters, while others allow three to four. Because LSAC enables you to assign specific letters to specific schools, our office recommends requesting no more than four letters total.

Selecting Your Recommenders 

Applicants should only request letters from individuals who can provide a positive, detailed, and supportive evaluation. Law schools value letters that speak meaningfully about: 

• critical thinking and reasoning 

• writing ability 

• research skills 

• engagement in class 

• leadership and initiative 

• maturity, judgment, and professionalism 

• potential for success in a rigorous law program 

Think about who has seen your best work, can compare you to other students or employees, and can provide specific examples. 

Law schools and the legal profession emphasize a broad set of professional values and ideals that guide both legal education and the practice of law. The American Bar Association highlights several foundational commitments shared across the profession, including access to justice, the independence of the bar and judiciary, diversity and inclusion, and the rule of law. These values shape how future attorneys are trained and what qualities schools seek in prospective students.

Fore more information visit the ABA website: ABA Core Values

As you consider potential recommenders, reflect on how your experiences and strengths demonstrate alignment with these guiding principles. Recommenders often speak most effectively when they can highlight evidence of traits such as analytical reasoning, strong writing and research abilities, communication skills, ethical judgment, professionalism, leadership, and a genuine commitment to serving others.

Building Relationships with Recommenders 

If you are unsure how to cultivate meaningful relationships with potential letter writers, keep the following in mind: 

Your recommenders have been in your shoes. 

Letters of recommendation are a normal and expected part of applying to graduate and professional programs. Faculty and supervisors understand that students will need letters and expect these requests. 

You don't need to dominate the classroom to stand out. 

Participate in ways that feel comfortable. Being attentive, engaged, prepared, and proactive such as visiting office hours, discussing readings, or emailing about topics that interest you is often more meaningful to professors than constant verbal participation. 

Let your personality and professionalism show. 

Law schools value interpersonal skills, leadership, and ethical judgment just as much as intellectual ability. Allow your recommenders to get to know you as a person, your work habits, character, values, and goals. 

Your professors want to help you. 

Supporting students is part of their role, and many enjoy writing letters for students who have shown dedication, curiosity, or growth. If you built a connection with a professor or supervisor, it should not surprise them to hear from you.  

Additional Notes 

• Letters of recommendation should be written in English.
  If a recommender is not fluent in English or prefers to write in another language, the applicant is responsible for providing a certified translation. 

• Do not request letters from family friends, distant acquaintances, or individuals who cannot evaluate your academic or professional abilities in depth. 

• Always give recommenders advance notice (ideally 4–6 weeks) and provide your resume, transcript, writing sample, and a short reminder of courses, projects, or accomplishments they may reference. 

Our office recommends that pre-law applicants begin conversations about letters of recommendation in May or June of the year they plan to apply. These early discussions allow you to reconnect with faculty and supervisors, share your goals, provide materials (such as resumes or writing samples), and confirm their willingness to write on your behalf. Starting the conversation early reduces stress and gives recommenders ample time to reflect on your work and consider the examples they may want to highlight.

Applicants typically formally request their letters through LSAC between June and August, but letters do not need to be submitted until late August or early September for most applicants to remain early in the rolling admissions cycle. This timeline ensures that recommenders have several months of lead time while still aligning with the opening of law school applications.

Asking early is both respectful and strategic: strong letters require thoughtfulness, specificity, and time. Many of our most frequently requested recommenders write a substantial number of letters each year, so advance outreach is greatly appreciated.

For reapplicants or students deferring an application, you may reuse letters from a previous cycle through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). However, we strongly encourage asking your recommenders to update their existing letters. At minimum, the letter should be re-dated to reflect the current cycle. Recommenders are welcome to revise content or add new insights based on coursework, research, leadership, or professional growth since the original letter was written.

DO: 

• Ask directly.
  Requesting a letter in person is the most professional and effective approach. It shows maturity, initiative, and respect. If an in-person meeting is not possible, ask via video call or phone rather than relying solely on email. 

• Ask early and provide a clear deadline.
  Give your recommender ample time, ideally 4–6 weeks, to write a thoughtful letter. For most applicants, asking between June and August and setting a deadline around September works well because it allows your letters to be ready when law schools begin accepting applications in early fall. 

• Explain why you are asking them specifically.
  Let the recommender know which law schools you plan to apply to, your academic and professional goals, and why you value their perspective. Briefly explain what aspects of your work together make them a strong fit to speak on your behalf. 

• Be prepared to provide materials.
  Many recommenders will request a resume, transcript, writing sample, draft personal statement, or description of relevant coursework or projects. Have these documents ready to share promptly. 

• Clarify how LSAC handles letters.
  Let them know that LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) will send them a secure electronic link to upload their letter, and that they must submit it directly to LSAC (not to the applicant). 

• Communicate formatting expectations.
  Letters must be dated, written on official letterhead when possible, and include a handwritten or electronic signature. Most professors already know these conventions, but it is helpful to confirm. 

• Identify strengths they may highlight.
  Gently suggest areas they might emphasize such as your writing ability, analytical reasoning, research skills, leadership, communication, integrity, or professional growth. Tailoring your requests helps recommenders write more specific and effective letters. 

 

DON’T: 

• Don’t ask late.
  Faculty and supervisors often receive many requests during application season. Respect their time by asking early and avoiding last-minute deadlines. 

• Don’t ask someone who cannot write a strong letter.
  Choose individuals who know your work well and who you trust to speak positively and thoughtfully about your abilities. A lukewarm or vague letter can hurt your application more than having fewer recommenders. 

For information about how to request and submit letters of recommendation for law school, please refer to the official instructions provided by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). All law school letters are processed through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), not sent directly to individual schools. 

Applicants should review the following LSAC resources for detailed, step-by-step guidance on: 

• Adding recommenders in CAS 

• Sending electronic letter requests to recommenders 

• Assigning letters to specific law schools 

• Managing letter statuses and submitting updates 

LSAC Letters of Recommendation Instructions:
Visit LSAC.org → Applying to Law School → Letters of Recommendation 

Please ensure you understand LSAC’s policies and timelines, as law schools will only accept letters submitted through CAS.