Professor Reccs

[u/FilmBudgeter101]

Be real - when has getting close to a Professor either through office hours or in general helped you with job or internship placements?

Sure, they can write you a rec, but does it actually help if they don’t pick up the phone and call someone on your behalf? And how often does that realistically happen if the Prof has 300 students a semester.

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[u/JakeAndElwood]

Yes, especially for clerkship applications.

[u/Krewesing]

As a lawyer several years out now, yes, it can really help. The quality of your recommendations can help for more competitive jobs. Your professor also may have their own connections. Or they could literally pick up the phone and call an employer—this is how a lot of fancy clerkships get filled.

As to the feasibility of getting close to them, it’s not rocket science. Seem engaged in class. Do the readings. Go to the occasional office hour and ask a question that shows you were paying attention and thinking. The most helpful thing would be to be their research assistant if you can. Most students do none of these things for any given professor.

But definitely definitely definitely get to know some professors, particularly ones with a connection to the field or geographic area you want to work in. Law school is a lot more about networking than people realize.

[u/TPDC545]

Not me, but I have had two people I know personally who got placements due to relationships with professors. One got two through the same professor, an internship, and then a fed job out of law school.

It can absolutely help, especially with younger-ish professors who either practiced for a while or have a network that includes decision makers at agencies or firms.

That said, you have to be deliberate when building the sort of relationship where they'll go out of their way to advocate for you beyond a letter of recommendation.

[u/alandbeforetime]

The more competitive the position, the more important professor recommendations are for differentiating between candidates who all have near-perfect GPAs and prestigious ECs. A rec letter does more when paired with a call or text, sure. But don’t underestimate how much it matters standing alone.

[u/Subject-Young-6320]

Yes, I needed 3 recs for my job, one of whom had to be a previous supervisor. I applied for an ADA position so I chose my Crim pro professor who also ran the clinics program and I did two, one of which was taught by her. I contacted another prof since he moved to another law school this semester to congratulate him on the new job and he offered a rec without me even asking.

He taught con law and first amendment so not exactly speaking to my abilities as a potential prosecutor but he’s very well known in my city and region as an expert called to weigh in on various legal developments and he’s highly respected. He didn’t have a need for an RA but I did help him out with edits on both his textbooks so that must have made a good impression.

I excelled in both their classes and cultivated a relationship outside class so I think they can speak to me as a student and my character and passion for the law beyond the classroom.

Some profs will straight up turn down someone if they feel they don’t know the student well enough or they don’t have a positive impression of them. Asking doesn’t automatically equal a rec so it’s not like any given prof is making the time for every student they’ve taught. Or they might admit they’d like to but can’t promise they’ll have the time or that it will be a really perfunctory response on their part.

A good rec can be the determining factor between getting the job or not so if you build a great relationship with a prof and know that their rec will be another asset on top of your resume and offer insight into you as a student, both in and out of the classroom, ask for the rec. Especially in smaller, upper level classes like electives where you aren’t one of 300 students.

[u/Natural_Salamander72]

Yes - be kind and take interest in their interests. It can go a long long way.

[u/Apprehensive-Ad-6620]

A lot of professors hated me so I didn't benefit. But it did help my classmates.