Introduction
A well-crafted reference letter is essential for law school applications. It provides insight into your academic and professional abilities, helping admissions committees assess your potential. This guide offers 16 sample reference letters in the correct law school format, covering various scenarios.
These examples demonstrate proper structure, tone, and content. Whether from professors, supervisors, or colleagues, each letter highlights different aspects of a candidate’s qualifications.
Use these samples to guide your own reference letters, ensuring they align with your experiences and the specific requirements of the law schools you’re applying to.
1. Academic Reference from a Professor
Dr. Emily Carter
Professor of Constitutional Law
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
October 15, 2023
Admissions Committee
Yale Law School
New Haven, CT 06520
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Ms. Sarah Johnson for admission to Yale Law School. As her professor in Constitutional Law, I witnessed her exceptional analytical skills and deep understanding of legal principles.
Ms. Johnson consistently demonstrated a mastery of complex legal concepts, contributing thoughtfully to class discussions and producing outstanding written work. Her ability to articulate arguments clearly and persuasively is remarkable.
I am confident that Ms. Johnson will excel in your rigorous program and make valuable contributions to your academic community. Please feel free to contact me if you require further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Emily Carter
2. Professional Reference from a Supervisor
Mr. Michael Thompson
Senior Partner
Thompson & Associates Law Firm
Chicago, IL 60606
November 2, 2023
Admissions Committee
University of Chicago Law School
Chicago, IL 60637
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Mr. David Martinez for admission to the University of Chicago Law School. As his supervisor at Thompson & Associates, I have observed his exceptional legal acumen and dedication to his work.
Mr. Martinez demonstrated a natural aptitude for legal research and writing, consistently producing high-quality briefs and memoranda. His ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients alike is truly impressive.
I am confident that Mr. Martinez will excel in your program and become a distinguished member of the legal profession. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Thompson
3. Character Reference from a Community Leader
Ms. Laura Bennett
Executive Director
Community Legal Aid Services
Los Angeles, CA 90013
September 28, 2023
Admissions Committee
UCLA School of Law
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Ms. Maria Gomez for admission to UCLA School of Law. As the Executive Director of Community Legal Aid Services, I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Gomez on several pro bono projects.
Ms. Gomez has shown a deep commitment to public service and a strong moral character. Her dedication to ensuring access to justice for underserved communities is truly inspiring.
Her ability to connect with clients and advocate for their rights is exceptional. I am confident that she will bring the same passion and dedication to your law school community.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Laura Bennett
4. Academic Reference from a Research Advisor
Dr. Robert Lee
Associate Professor of Criminal Law
Stanford Law School
Stanford, CA 94305
October 20, 2023
Admissions Committee
Columbia Law School
New York, NY 10027
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Ms. Sophia Patel for admission to Columbia Law School. As her research advisor, I have had the opportunity to witness her intellectual curiosity and academic excellence firsthand.
Ms. Patel’s research on criminal justice reform has been outstanding, demonstrating a deep understanding of the subject matter and a keen analytical mind. Her ability to think critically and approach complex issues with creativity is remarkable.
I am confident that Ms. Patel will excel in your program and make significant contributions to the field of criminal law. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Lee
5. Professional Reference from a Colleague
Ms. Jessica Walker
Associate Attorney
Smith & Smith Law Firm
Dallas, TX 75201
November 10, 2023
Admissions Committee
University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX 78705
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Mr. Daniel Brown for admission to the University of Texas School of Law. As a colleague at Smith & Smith Law Firm, I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Brown on several cases.
Mr. Brown has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to excellence. His ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop innovative solutions is truly impressive.
His dedication to his clients and his collaborative approach to teamwork make him an outstanding candidate for your program. I am confident that he will excel in your rigorous academic environment.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jessica Walker
6. Academic Reference from a Dean
Dr. Margaret Davis
Dean of Academic Affairs
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
October 25, 2023
Admissions Committee
Harvard Law School
Cambridge, MA 02138
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Mr. John Wilson for admission to Harvard Law School. As the Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of Michigan, I have had the opportunity to observe Mr. Wilson’s academic achievements and leadership qualities.
Mr. Wilson has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to public service. His leadership in student organizations and his involvement in community service projects are truly commendable.
I am confident that Mr. Wilson will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your academic community. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Margaret Davis
7. Professional Reference from a Client
Mr. James Clark
CEO
Clark Industries
Atlanta, GA 30346
November 5, 2023
Admissions Committee
Emory University School of Law
Atlanta, GA 30322
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Ms. Emily White for admission to Emory University School of Law. As a client of the law firm where Ms. White is employed, I have had the pleasure of working with her on several legal matters.
Ms. White has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and a deep understanding of legal principles. Her ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner is truly impressive.
Her dedication to her clients and her commitment to excellence make her an outstanding candidate for your program. I am confident that she will excel in your rigorous academic environment.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Mr. James Clark
8. Academic Reference from a Research Supervisor
Dr. William Harris
Professor of Corporate Law
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720
October 30, 2023
Admissions Committee
Stanford Law School
Stanford, CA 94305
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Ms. Olivia Green for admission to Stanford Law School. As her research supervisor, I have had the opportunity to witness her intellectual curiosity and academic excellence firsthand.
Ms. Green’s research on corporate governance has been outstanding, demonstrating a deep understanding of the subject matter and a keen analytical mind. Her ability to think critically and approach complex issues with creativity is remarkable.
I am confident that Ms. Green will excel in your program and make significant contributions to the field of corporate law. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. William Harris
9. Professional Reference from a Mentor
Ms. Patricia Scott
Senior Associate
Scott & Associates Law Firm
Seattle, WA 98101
November 15, 2023
Admissions Committee
University of Washington School of Law
Seattle, WA 98195
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Mr. Kevin Turner for admission to the University of Washington School of Law. As his mentor at Scott & Associates, I have had the pleasure of guiding Mr. Turner in his legal career.
Mr. Turner has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to excellence. His ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop innovative solutions is truly impressive.
His dedication to his clients and his collaborative approach to teamwork make him an outstanding candidate for your program. I am confident that he will excel in your rigorous academic environment.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Patricia Scott
10. Academic Reference from a Teaching Assistant
Mr. David Miller
Teaching Assistant
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
October 18, 2023
Admissions Committee
University of Florida Levin College of Law
Gainesville, FL 32611
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Ms. Sarah Taylor for admission to the University of Florida Levin College of Law. As her teaching assistant in Constitutional Law, I have had the opportunity to observe her academic abilities and dedication to learning.
Ms. Taylor has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of legal principles and a keen analytical mind. Her ability to engage in thoughtful discussions and produce high-quality written work is truly impressive.
I am confident that Ms. Taylor will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your academic community. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Mr. David Miller
11. Professional Reference from a Business Partner
Mr. Robert Johnson
Partner
Johnson & Lee Law Firm
Miami, FL 33131
November 8, 2023
Admissions Committee
University of Miami School of Law
Miami, FL 33146
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Ms. Laura Sanchez for admission to the University of Miami School of Law. As a business partner at Johnson & Lee Law Firm, I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Sanchez on several legal matters.
Ms. Sanchez has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and a deep understanding of legal principles. Her ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner is truly impressive.
Her dedication to her clients and her commitment to excellence make her an outstanding candidate for your program. I am confident that she will excel in your rigorous academic environment.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Mr. Robert Johnson
12. Academic Reference from a Dean of Students
Dr. Lisa Martinez
Dean of Students
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90095
October 22, 2023
Admissions Committee
UCLA School of Law
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Mr. Daniel Kim for admission to UCLA School of Law. As the Dean of Students at UCLA, I have had the opportunity to observe Mr. Kim’s academic achievements and leadership qualities.
Mr. Kim has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to public service. His leadership in student organizations and his involvement in community service projects are truly commendable.
I am confident that Mr. Kim will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your academic community. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lisa Martinez
13. Professional Reference from a Client
Ms. Susan Brown
CEO
Brown Industries
Denver, CO 80202
November 12, 2023
Admissions Committee
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Denver, CO 80208
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Mr. Michael White for admission to the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. As a client of the law firm where Mr. White is employed, I have had the pleasure of working with him on several legal matters.
Mr. White has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and a deep understanding of legal principles. His ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner is truly impressive.
His dedication to his clients and his commitment to excellence make him an outstanding candidate for your program. I am confident that he will excel in your rigorous academic environment.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Susan Brown
14. Academic Reference from a Professor
Dr. James Wilson
Professor of Environmental Law
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
October 20, 2023
Admissions Committee
University of Oregon School of Law
Eugene, OR 97403
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Ms. Emily Davis for admission to the University of Oregon School of Law. As her professor in Environmental Law, I have had the opportunity to witness her intellectual curiosity and academic excellence.
Ms. Davis has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of environmental law and a keen analytical mind. Her ability to think critically and approach complex issues with creativity is truly impressive.
I am confident that Ms. Davis will excel in your program and make significant contributions to the field of environmental law. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. James Wilson
15. Professional Reference from a Supervisor
Mr. John Smith
Senior Partner
Smith & Smith Law Firm
Phoenix, AZ 85004
November 18, 2023
Admissions Committee
Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Ms. Sarah Johnson for admission to Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. As her supervisor at Smith & Smith Law Firm, I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Johnson on several legal matters.
Ms. Johnson has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and a deep understanding of legal principles. Her ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner is truly impressive.
Her dedication to her clients and her commitment to excellence make her an outstanding candidate for your program. I am confident that she will excel in your rigorous academic environment.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Mr. John Smith
16. Academic Reference from a Thesis Advisor
Dr. Margaret Green
Professor of International Law
Georgetown University
Washington, D.C. 20057
October 25, 2023
Admissions Committee
Georgetown University Law Center
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Mr. David Brown for admission to Georgetown University Law Center. As his thesis advisor, I have had the opportunity to witness his intellectual curiosity and academic excellence firsthand.
Mr. Brown’s thesis on international human rights law has been outstanding, demonstrating a deep understanding of the subject matter and a keen analytical mind. His ability to think critically and approach complex issues with creativity is truly impressive.
I am confident that Mr. Brown will excel in your program and make significant contributions to the field of international law. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Margaret Green
Conclusion
These 16 sample reference letters for law school applications demonstrate the proper format and content. Each letter highlights different aspects of a candidate’s qualifications, whether academic, professional, or personal. By tailoring these examples to your specific experiences and the requirements of the law schools you’re applying to, you can create compelling reference letters that strengthen your application.
Remember to choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths and qualifications. Provide them with sufficient information about your goals and the specific requirements of the programs you’re applying to, ensuring that their letters are personalized and relevant.
Good luck with your law school applications!