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I have one question that has come to mind recently for my apps. I originally got 4 people to potentially be my recommenders and I know who my top 2 are. I'm just curious whether my number 3 option might be worth including.

Relevant info: reverse-splitter URM with upper 160s LSAT and 3.9 GPA. Pretty good other softs but probably just above average compared to the pool for my target schools. I have already considered retaking and am just going to see what my results are with my current stats. Target schools: HYS, V, and Georgetown with a few other T14s in my blanketing.

So my 3rd recommender would be my thesis advisor, but he didn't know me before my project and he was only able to help me with the content from a tangential interest to his specialty. So our interactions were less than what most of my cohort had with their advisors. But he is very distinguished and would offer a very different perspective on me from what my other two recommenders will likely say. Having the 3rd letter to use would also help me solidify this relationship which could be useful for networking purposes later.

My question is not whether this will make or break my application. I'm just asking for input on whether having this letter for some apps would provide a worthwhile bump. I think highlighting my thesis would be the main outcome, which might be useful as a reverse splitter without much WE.

Probably not gonna make a difference, just retake if you want a stronger application HTH

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In terms of letters of recommendation, it's good to be selective for the best presentation. A third letter will not make or break your application per se, but its impact is whether it truly adds to your application making a best impression.

Questions to consider in general:
Does the recommender know you well enough to write you a strong letter (not a generic one)? This means that it offers a strong, thoughtful look at who you are as a potential candidate into the specific program of interest (law), and it's not just what any professor may write about someone that they don't know about that well. There should be some inherent enthusiasm in the letter that the writer thinks that you're bright, diligent, going to do great things with the law degree later, etc. A higher prestige writer is going to get attention, but even then, the hope is that they can write more than a generic letter about you, rather than giving a very high level look on your abilities, which means not a very close or thoughtful look at all.

Is the letter going to be redundant or not? If it's redundant, it's going to stretch the patience of the reviewer and he or she can wonder why you felt the need to send it and whether it reflects that you cannot prioritize what to send for their attention well (not a great impression); it's even a worse impression if it's redundant and generic.

It sounds like as long as you are being attentive to your audience and selective enough for the best persuasive presentation about yourself, you're doing what you need to do! Just realize that the thought underneath is action should keep representing a positive and professional attitude, rather than what can be seen as a not well-thought attempt to impress that falls short.