Whether you are applying top a top law school such as Harvard Law, admissions committees are always determined to select the best candidates. Therefore, a letter of recommendation (LOR) from a credible referee is of utmost importance – since your recommender can give insights into your work that tells the admissions panel about your potential to succeed in a top law program.

The first thing the admissions committee would want to look at in a reference letter is “How long have you worked with your referee and in what capacity”. Many applicants are mistaken that a letter from the Head of the Department or the CEO of a law firm will be the ideal one – however, the truth is that such a reference will have ZERO value if you have not directly worked with your referee. A good reference must always come from someone you have worked with for at least six months. 

Always Include Proof and Examples in your LOR

A strong recommendation letter should not just contain a deluge of superlatives like “Ms Jon Doe is industrious in learning and very hardworking.” It should also include examples that reflect your qualities and traits. Vivid examples that support your attributes are a great way to showcase your strengths. Without examples, your reference will look as if it was “a cut, copy, paste, generic” kind of a reference that the referee gives out to anyone and everyone that asks for one. 

Here is an excellent example of a letter of reference written for a student who got into Harvard Law School. 

Sample Letter of Recommendation for Law School 

I am honoured to write a letter of recommendation for Jon Doe, a candidate for admission to Harvard Law School’s LLM program. First, a brief introduction about myself – Being a senior advocate of the Supreme Court and a former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, I have always felt that it is my moral duty to give back to the legal fraternity. That is why I regularly lecture at top institutions in the UK, such as the University of Oxford, the Civil Services College, the Military Staff College, and Lincoln’s Inn. In addition, I have been an Ebert and DAAD Fellow and a member of The Hague Academy of International Law.

As a law instructor, I have observed and worked with several Harvard Law School graduates and found Jon to have the insight and skills to be one of the distinguished HLS graduates. I have taught and supervised Jon during the course “Constitutional Law of USA” for 12 months. During this course, we explored USA’s founding charter and the Supreme Court cases interpreting it. In one of the course projects, Jon used Supreme Court opinions as his guide to focus on the constitution’s interpretation. He investigated the principles of judicial review and separation of powers. Jon also successfully defended a client against a civil rights complaint in a mock case. He also challenged the constitutionality of a judicial appointment and a piece of legislation in one of the hypothetical cases. I was impressed by how Mr Doe researched past cases and answered questions about how the constitution might apply to the issue.

During his semester, he came up to me and asked if he could voluntarily work for me in my chamber for a few weeks to gain as much exposure as he could. I had seen Jon in the Federal Court, occasionally listening to legal proceedings. Hence, I gladly accepted him to my chamber. Constitutional law is one of the most complex areas of legal practice, and I am glad that Jon is willing to enter this area and address issues facing the country.

Without exception, he demonstrated an impressive ability to read, analyze and apply complex regulations to his large caseload. I am consistently impressed by Jon’s ability to thrive in a stressful and often thankless position. His commitment to his clients was unshakable despite working pro bono, high turnover, and persistent lack of resources. His written and oral arguments are nothing short of brilliant. Jon has a sharp mind, meticulous attention to detail, and an ability to identify, anticipate and solve potential barriers to his arguments. As a result, he is extremely distinguished from his peers and also as sharp as most seasoned attorneys.

To survive in such a high-pressure environment, Jon has cultivated an impressive ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, never “dropping the ball” or mismanaging his workload. For example, he worked under me and completed his course with 100% attendance and a 4.0 GPA. When necessary, he will also go far beyond what is expected of him to serve his clients. For example, Jon took the initiative to compile (on his own time) a 200-page manual for people trying to obtain social services in London. The document, written in an informative, easy-to-read style, has been a valuable resource for citizens throughout the city.

With his exceptional communication skills, Jon is also a natural leader and teacher. In my decades of experience working with bright and young aspiring lawyers from all corners of the globe, including HLS, I would gladly rank Jon amongst the top 2%. With us, he has organized and presented numerous firm-wide training sessions to judges, lawyers, advocates, and law enforcement personnel. Jon welcomes new learning experiences with courage and an open mind, jumping right in and getting his hands dirty.

Over the past year or so, I have kept in touch with Jon and have kept abreast of his professional and academic progress. As expected, he has matured into a leader of great skill who has much to offer legal practice. As a professor and distinguished lawyer, I highly recommend Jon Doe to the admissions committee at Harvard Law School and recommend him with the highest enthusiasm.