Non-Lawyer Recommender Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am considering who to choose for my recommenders, and I am wondering whether I can use a law professor who never attended law school. If the professor had a law degree, I would have no qualms about asking them, as I have taken multiple classes and performed quite well. However, I am worried that not having a law degree or practicing law may hamper the effectiveness of the professor's recommendation.

[nixy]

What subjects did they teach you and what were their qualifications? (For instance I knew of a prof who did essentially a doctorate in law in another country but didn’t do a JD.) If they’re teaching you classes on law in a law school I’m sure they’re fine as a recommender. They’re going to be talking about your academic ability, which is what they assess when they grade you.

[Anonymous User]

What subjects did they teach you and what were their qualifications? (For instance I knew of a prof who did essentially a doctorate in law in another country but didn’t do a JD.) If they’re teaching you classes on law in a law school I’m sure they’re fine as a recommender. They’re going to be talking about your academic ability, which is what they assess when they grade you.

Both classes were seminars on pretty serious legal issues. Both were focused on academic literature and didn't involve reading many (or any) cases. The prof has top-notch qualifications, aside from not having a law degree.

Also, FWIW, I am gunning for a top feeder/SCOTUS gig. I am unsure of whether that will factor into the calculus at all.

[nixy]

I can’t imagine there would be any issue with using this person as a recommender. They’re teaching in a law school (probably a top school if you’re a potential SCOTUS candidate) and are eminently qualified (I’m assuming this probably means they have a PhD in a relevant field but no JD, though not asking you to confirm that). But if you want a more authoritative answer (I was never competitive for top feeders/SCOTUS), ask one of your other recommenders or your clerkship office.

(To be frank, I’m not sure anyone would even realize that your prof doesn’t have a JD; I’d think judges would just look at the letter and say, letter from a prof, cool, without checking further. If the recommender is prominent enough that people in legal circles know their name, I can’t imagine the lack of JD would be an issue. But again, ask someone from your school if you’re still concerned.)

[Anonymous User]

I can’t imagine there would be any issue with using this person as a recommender. They’re teaching in a law school (probably a top school if you’re a potential SCOTUS candidate) and are eminently qualified (I’m assuming this probably means they have a PhD in a relevant field but no JD, though not asking you to confirm that). But if you want a more authoritative answer (I was never competitive for top feeders/SCOTUS), ask one of your other recommenders or your clerkship office.

(To be frank, I’m not sure anyone would even realize that your prof doesn’t have a JD; I’d think judges would just look at the letter and say, letter from a prof, cool, without checking further. If the recommender is prominent enough that people in legal circles know their name, I can’t imagine the lack of JD would be an issue. But again, ask someone from your school if you’re still concerned.)

Sounds good. I appreciate the advice!

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I can’t imagine anyone turning up their nose at like Martha Nussbaum because she’s a law prof without a JD

[Anonymous User]

What subjects did they teach you and what were their qualifications? (For instance I knew of a prof who did essentially a doctorate in law in another country but didn’t do a JD.) If they’re teaching you classes on law in a law school I’m sure they’re fine as a recommender. They’re going to be talking about your academic ability, which is what they assess when they grade you.

Both classes were seminars on pretty serious legal issues. Both were focused on academic literature and didn't involve reading many (or any) cases. The prof has top-notch qualifications, aside from not having a law degree.

Also, FWIW, I am gunning for a top feeder/SCOTUS gig. I am unsure of whether that will factor into the calculus at all.

You should be fine, but you may want to check with your clerkship office about your recommenders. They would know more, and if you are in SCOTUS range, they should be placing you in contact with the right people too.

[Anonymous User]

When I clerked (for a semi-feeder on CA2/9), I never once considered whether an applicant's recommender had a JD. As long as the recommender is an actual professor at your school and the classes you took were sufficiently rigorous, I wouldn't worry about this at all.