Non-Academic Recommender Forum

[Anonymous User]

I interned for a Congressman while in college and then worked as his personal driver/scheduler on the campaign trail in 2018. My job was to drive (obviously) and to low key screen people who wanted to talk to him at public events. We had some good adventures together while on the trail and I think he could write a pretty good personalized letter. However, I am worried that using a letter from him would look like "name dropping" and would be frowned upon. The Congressman's politics roughly align with the judges I am applying to.

[justanotherlurker]

If he can really speak at length to your personality and character, then sure. Like any recommendation, though, a generic recommendation that's less-than-whole-hearted can hurt you. When you're reading dozens of LOR, you can tell when they were phoned in.

If you're applying to judges in his district, ask whether he knows those judges - a call from a Congressman would be a huge boon.

I'd still include 3 legal recommendations (professors or employers) that can speak to your legal capability.

[Barrred]

I agree with the above advice. It would be a good recommendation to add to your existing academic recs. If you can, I would advise the Congressman to keep the letter short and to highlight how he had to spend a lot of time with you in close quarters on the campaign trail, and that you were great to work with/invaluable to his team. Judges can usually tell someone's intellect by their transcript/academic recommendations, but they often have trouble telling whether someone would be good to work with in close quarters for a year. A recommendation from the Congressman going to that issue could move the needle.

[Anonymous User]

2 academic letters and a letter from a congressman would be plenty, and a great combo, for my district judge.

[Anonymous User]

It'll really depend on the judge. My district judge would be pretty confused as to why you bothered to include a non-legal reference, no matter the person.