Letters of Recommendation

Professor Tung Yin at Prawfsblawg has an excellent post for students on how to receive a great letter of recommendation for a judicial clerkship.  I must admit that my hand is still a bit sore after all the letter signing that occurred earlier this semester.  I find it helpful when the student will spend some brief time filling me in on some of their life history before I write the letter.  Even getting to know a student in a seminar doesn't always let you see the full person - why did they go to law school, what are their goals, do they have children that they are taking care of while attending law school, what outside activities or community events do they enjoy etc.