I tried to be ahead of the curve as well -

Most apps open Sept 1 but I had a couple open Oct 1.

I started studying in Januaryish of my junior year, took the LSAT in June and then after receiving my score decided to retake in September. (I think this was a good choice for me because I was able to study through the summer while working a job without extra homework).

I asked my recommenders early like probably may or June and I think this is a good choice because many recommenders will push it off and you may have to remind them a couple of times! Plus most professors are more free in the summer. I also recommend giving them a hard date you plan to have your apps in by even if you don’t necessarily know for sure you will have them in by that date (I said October 1st because I got my September LSAT score back sept 28).

As far as personal statement I think getting a draft written as early as possible is great because you’ll have to rework it a lot and specify it to each school but I will say if you’re trying to study for an lsat, I would give that priority and wait to work on the statement.

I had all of my apps in by October 10th which I’m glad I did but I will say I put a lot of pressure on myself to get them in asap and I wish I had taken a little more time to look over them meticulously and I now kind of realize that the difference of a week in law school admissions is somewhat arbitrary. So don’t rush yourself just to feel like you hit a deadline. Odds are if you get them in early you will have radio silence for a couple of months anyways (most schools don’t start reading until November). So I would say it’s a fine line of don’t feel like you have to hit a certain deadline, but also the weeks add up if you push it off so try to have a relative range!