Article source: Stanley Law Firm SC
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When someone calls themselves Esquire, usually written as “Esq.” after their name, it generally means they are a licensed attorney in the United States. The title is commonly used by lawyers in professional settings and legal documents.
The history of the word “Esquire” goes back to England, where it was originally associated with a social rank below that of a knight. Over time, its meaning changed, and in the United States, Esquire became closely associated with the legal profession.
What Are the Things You Need to Know About the Title Esquire?
The term has a long history, but its modern use in the United States is relatively straightforward.
Esquire Is a Professional Courtesy Title
Esquire is a professional courtesy title that some attorneys choose to use when identifying themselves in their legal capacity. It is not a required part of an attorney’s name, so a lawyer may use it in some settings and leave it out in others.
For example, an attorney may use “Esq.” in a professional signature or on a business card but use only their name in personal communications.
It Is Not an Academic Degree
Esquire is not an academic degree such as a Juris Doctor (J.D.). A J.D. is the professional law degree earned after completing law school, while Esquire is a form of professional address. A person earns a J.D. through legal education, but earning the degree does not by itself establish that the person has been admitted to a state bar.
The Title Does Not Guarantee Current Bar Membership
Using the title Esquire does not confirm that a person is currently authorized to practice law. An attorney’s professional status can change after admission to the bar, so you can check the relevant state bar’s records to verify their current licensing status.
Do Not Combine “Esq.” With Mr. or Ms.
Esquire is generally placed after a person’s name, so it is not normally combined with courtesy titles such as “Mr.” or “Ms.” Using both can make the name format unnecessarily repetitive.
For example, write “John Smith, Esq.” rather than “Mr. John Smith, Esq.” Similarly, “Jane Smith, Esq.” is generally preferred to “Ms. Jane Smith, Esq.”
If a courtesy title is being used instead, the person’s name can simply appear as “Mr. John Smith” or “Ms. Jane Smith” without adding “Esq.” Using one form of address keeps the person’s name consistent with standard professional usage.
No Gender Limits
Esquire is not limited to male attorneys. Both male and female lawyers can use “Esq.” after their names, and the meaning of the title does not change based on the attorney’s gender.
It’s not a gender-specific designation. So it can be used consistently for attorneys regardless of whether they are men or women. For example, “John Smith, Esq.” and “Jane Smith, Esq.” both use the title correctly.
The Title Does Not Identify a Lawyer’s Area of Practice
Esquire does not indicate what type of law an attorney practices. Lawyers in different fields, including family law, criminal defense, estate planning, and business law, may all use “Esq.” after their names. For example, a family law attorney and a criminal defense attorney may both use the title even though they handle very different legal matters.
South Carolina Code § 40-5-10 recognizes the Supreme Court’s authority to regulate the practice of law, determine qualifications for bar admission, and discipline, suspend, or disbar attorneys. This reinforces that an attorney’s professional status depends on their legal authorization and standing, not simply on the use of “Esquire.”
Key Takeaways
- “Esquire” is a professional courtesy title that some attorneys choose to use when identifying themselves professionally.
- “Esquire” is not an academic degree and is different from a Juris Doctor (J.D.).
- The title does not guarantee current bar membership, so official state bar records are more reliable for checking an attorney’s status.
- “Esq.” should not normally be combined with “Mr.” or “Ms.”, so use “John Smith, Esq.” rather than “Mr. John Smith, Esq.”
- “Esquire” has no gender restriction, so attorneys of any gender may use the title.
- The title does not identify a lawyer’s area of practice, so it does not tell you whether an attorney handles family law, criminal law, estate planning, or another type of case.
