Requesting Letters of Recommendation for Law School
Published December 31, 2025
Starting your law school journey can feel both thrilling and bewildering. Amongst essays, transcripts, and test scores, it can be easy to overlook one of the most personal parts of your application: your letters of recommendation. Letters give the committee an outside look at your work from someone who has seen it up close. Whether that person is a professor, supervisor, or a coach, each perspective can help the committee see a fuller picture of your potential and your readiness for law school.
What letters of recommendation are and why law schools require them
Letters of recommendation are evaluations from people who have supervised your academic or professional work. They translate your work into an assessment of your readiness for law school.
Schools require them because letters provide context that numbers cannot: how you write, think critically, meet deadlines, and respond to criticism. They also speak to your professionalism and integrity and can further explain what makes you stand out amongst your peers.
Each school has its own requirements. Some ask for one letter, others for two or more. When students ask what works well, I recommend a small trio of voices: two faculty members who can speak to your thinking and writing, and one supervisor who has seen you follow through at work. It is a simple best practice that gives a rounded view without crowding the file. Simply check that your plan aligns with the guidelines for each school.
Who to Ask
Choose people who can speak to your character, your habits, and your growth over time.
- Academic: professors, research mentors, or advisors who can describe your intellectual engagement, writing, and discipline.
- Professional: supervisors who can describe your initiative, communication, or leadership.
- Community or athletics: coaches, mentors, or volunteer coordinators who can share how you’ve supported others, worked toward a goal, or led by example.
If you must decide between a well-known name and someone who knows you well, choose the person who can write with genuine insight and specific examples.
When to Ask
Once you know whom you want to ask, the next step is timing. A request sent about four to six weeks before your earliest deadline tends to give writers the space to work without pressure.
Helpful tip: connect early on with possible recommenders in a one-on-one setting. Whether in office hours, at a team lunch, or in a brief check-in, planting the seed helps potential writers see you as a future law school applicant and makes the later request feel natural and not out of the blue.
How to Ask
It can feel intimidating to ask for a letter, but many recommenders are honored or genuinely welcome the opportunity to be asked. Be clear, kind, and professional in your approach. A direct request helps them decide if they can write a strong, detailed letter.
Here are some helpful examples of how this request could be worded.
Subject: Letter of Recommendation for Law School
Dear Professor Haydale,
I hope you are well. I am applying to law school for Fall 2026, and I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation on my behalf. I valued your Scholarly Methods course and the time you spent helping me become a clearer, more disciplined writer. Your feedback on my annotated bibliography and final research paper changed how I approach argument and revision, and I have carried those habits into every class since.
If you feel comfortable recommending me, my earliest deadline is November 15, 2025. I can send my resume, a draft personal statement, my research paper from your course, and LSAC submission instructions. If it would be helpful, I would be glad to stop by during office hours to discuss my goals and answer any questions as you consider the letter. If the timing is not manageable, I completely understand and I appreciate your consideration.
Thank you for your teaching and for the care you give your students.
Sincerely,
Emmett Richmond
Subject: Law School Recommendation Request
Hi Laura,
I hope you are doing well. I am applying to law school for Fall 2026, and wanted to ask if you would be willing to write a strong recommendation for me. Working with you has been such an important part of my growth at [store name]. You trusted me to take on new responsibilities and handle challenges as they came up, and that trust made me want to keep improving. You taught me how to communicate clearly, stay steady on busy days, and look out for the team, which has shaped how I handle pressure and work with others.
Because you have seen that growth firsthand, I think your perspective would mean a lot to admissions. My first application deadline is November 15, 2025. I can send my resume, a short summary of my goals, and LSAC submission instructions. If it would be helpful, I am also happy to meet briefly to discuss my plans and answer any questions as you consider the letter.
Thank you for considering this and for everything I have learned from you.
Best,
Michael Ross
Subject: Recommendation for Law School
Dear Coach Boomer,
I hope you are well. I am applying to law school for Fall 2026, and I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a strong recommendation for me. Running cross country with you has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time here. I learned to manage my time, balance training with classes, and stay steady through tough weeks. Your coaching helped me become more consistent and a stronger teammate on and off the course.
If you are open to recommending me, my first application deadline is November 15, 2025. I can provide my resume, a brief summary of my goals, and LSAC submission instructions. If the timeline is difficult, I understand and I appreciate your consideration.
Thank you for your guidance.
Sincerely,
Vivian Kensington
Once They Agree: What to Provide
When someone agrees to write for you, take a moment to thank them. Every recommender works differently, so share what feels appropriate and helpful for your situation. Depending upon your relationship, it may be helpful to share a:
- A Resume to remind them of your experiences and recent work.
- A copy of your personal statement or a short snippet about your goals if you want to give context for your application.
- A sample of your work such as a paper, project, or recalling of professional responsibility.
- A quick note on next steps explaining how LSAC’s Letter of Recommendation service works and when letters are due.
If your recommender is outside academia, you might also include a short note about what law schools look for, such as writing ability, professionalism, initiative, and collaboration. This helps them understand what to focus on and makes the process easier for them.
You can find a simple overview of how the submission process works on the LSAC Letter of Recommendation page.
Following Up and Saying Thank You
As you get close to your deadline, a small check-in can be helpful, but only if it feels natural for you and your recommender. After the letter is in, send a genuine thank you. When decisions arrive, share a quick update, including where you plan to enroll. If you see your recommender around campus or at work, saying thank you in person is always a bright spot in their day.
Remember, you are building more than an application. You are building the community that will cheer you on in law school and beyond.
