What Does Esquire Mean?

In the United States, Esquire is a title of respect applied to any person admitted to the bar and holding a law degree. It is often used in law offices to address practicing lawyers as part of their title in legal documents. However, it does not denote any specific legal duties, rights, or privileges. In the not so distant past, only men went to law school and were addressed as Esquires; however, today both men and women may be addressed as such.

Get Straightforward Answers for Complex Legal Issues

At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, all of our lawyers are respected members of the legal community who have dedicated their careers to helping those injured in accidents. Through our hard work and dedication, we are able to represent clients who have been seriously injured, and get them justice and fair compensation.

We also strive to explain complex legal matters in terms that anyone can understand. Whether you are unsure about what exactly esquire means, don’t know what it means to be a plaintiff vs. defendant, or just want to know what’s happening in your case, we are ready to make matters clear to you.

How to Properly Address Someone with an Esquire Title

When addressing someone with an Esq. or Esquire title, it is important to use the appropriate form of address. It is appropriate to use the traditional title of “Esquire” or “Mr./Ms. (Last Name) Esq.” For example:

John Doe, Esq.

or

Ms. Jane Brown, Esq.

At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, all of the attorneys at our law firm can be properly addressed as such. We take pride in providing quality legal advice to those injured in accidents and helping them seek justice.

Written or Spoken?

The esquire title can be used in both written communication and spoken forms of formal address, though it is most often used in formal written correspondence related to legal matters and legal documents.

At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand how confusing the legal system and terminology can be. That’s why our experienced attorneys are available to help injury victims every step of the way and explain complex legal matters in terms you can understand.

Call Yourself Esquire? That’s a Solecism

It is considered a solecism for an attorney to refer to themselves as esquire, even in written form. (What’s a solecism you say? We said that too.) A solecism is an error in language, etiquette, or protocol. And as archaic as this whole answer sounds, no one wants to make a mistake that makes them sound foolish, especially not lawyers. It is more appropriate for someone else licensed to practice law to refer to you as esquire rather than referring to yourself this way.

What About Law Students?

Law students are not referred to as esquire because they are still attending law school. Instead, just like other non-legal professionals, they can be referred to by first or last name depending on the circumstances. Calling them Mr./Ms. (Last Name) in a more formal correspondence or document is usually the best practice. It’s not until they have their JD, Juris Doctor or Doctor of Law, finished their legal education and have passed the state’s Bar Exam that they can practice law and be referred to with an esquire title.

What Does it Mean to Have JD After Your Name?

As mentioned before, this is another one of the common lawyer abbreviations, and JD stands for Juris Doctor, which means Doctor of Law and is a graduate level professional degree in most law schools. This law school degree allows them to practice law and be referred to as esquire.

What Happens When a Lawyer Retires? Are They Still an Esquire?

Yes, even after a lawyer has retired from practicing law they are still referred to as esquire. It is an honorary professional title that remains with them for life. Though they may no longer be a practicing lawyer, their years of experience and dedication to the legal field can still be respected and acknowledged with the Esq. abbreviation.

Want to Put Esq. After Your Name? Follow These Steps

If you’re thinking about attending law school, there are a few important steps you should take in order to pursue the esquire attorney title. To become an attorney, you’ll need to attend law school, pass the state bar exam, and be recognized by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Once that’s done, you may be able to use the title of esquire.

The Benefits of Having an Esquire on Your Side

At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand the importance of having experienced legal professionals who are knowledgeable in complex legal matters on your side. That’s why we are proud to have respected personal injury lawyers with esquire titles on our team. We are committed to helping all accident victims seek justice and get the compensation they deserve.

With an experienced attorney with the courtesy title “esquire” on your side, you can trust that your legal needs are in good hands. If you’ve been injured in an accident and need help understanding the legal system, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be happy to answer any questions about legal topics you may have and help guide you through the process.