Letters of Recommendation Forum

[peet123]

If you are applying to a clerkship 1-2 years after law school ends, do you still need letters of recommendation from professors, or do you only get letters from employers at a law firm?

[quiver]

You should get rec letters from those who can write the strongest rec letters. If you're a few years out of law school that's probably someone who has been working with you, although there are certainly no hard-and-fast rules.

[angryhedgehog]

You should get rec letters from those who can write the strongest rec letters. If you're a few years out of law school that's probably someone who has been working with you, although there are certainly no hard-and-fast rules.

Thoughts on asking associates vs. partners? I work closely with a senior associate on a couple cases who I'm relatively confident would give me a strong recommendation. I just haven't had enough of an opportunity to work closely with too many partners, and not sure if that's a dealbreaker for judges.

[quiver]

You should get rec letters from those who can write the strongest rec letters. If you're a few years out of law school that's probably someone who has been working with you, although there are certainly no hard-and-fast rules.

Thoughts on asking associates vs. partners? I work closely with a senior associate on a couple cases who I'm relatively confident would give me a strong recommendation. I just haven't had enough of an opportunity to work closely with too many partners, and not sure if that's a dealbreaker for judges.

If the senior associate can best comment on your work, that's probably your best bet. It really should be a senior associate, though. I wouldn't generally recommend using an associate who's any more junior than that.