How to Use Esquireor Esq.

Writing Esq.How to Use Esquire or Esq.

Esq., an abbreviation forEsquire, in never used with another title or post-nominal abbreviations before or after the name.  It is not used by the attorney with their own name.  

—–Correct:How to Use Esquire or Esq.
—–—–(Full Name), Esq.

—–All of these are incorrect:
—–—–Mr. (Full Name), Esq.
—–—–Dr. (Full Name), Esq.
—–—–(Full Name), JD, Esq.
—–—–(Full Name), Esq., MBA

How to Use Esquire or Esq.

An attorney should useattorney at lawwith his or her own name – notEsq. See more about the tradition in the post“Use of Esq. with Your Own Name in the USA“.

See Also These Related Posts:
How to Address an Attorney 
Use ofPost-nominal Abbreviations

Robert Hickey author of“Honor & Respect”

The traditional use ofEsq. is in the U.S.A. is for others to add it to the attorney’s name when writing to a practicing attorney (e.g., on and envelope or on a letter) to note/specify that the attorney is being addressed in his or her role as counsel in litigation / as professional representation in a legal matter. E.g.:

—-Kenneth Millard, Esq.
—-(Address)

Use ofEsq. is important among the ethics rules of the legal profession which require communications from an attorney(on one side) be with the opposing side’s attorney rather than directly withthe opposing side. By addressing the other side’s attorney asEsq., the person initiating the communication is being clear that he or she is following correct procedure.

However, traditionallyEsq. is not used reflexively … that is, one does not call oneself an Esq. or present one’s name on letterhead or business card withEsq. following one’s name.  Thus, on a business card or letterhead names of the principals, partners, associates, are be presented without post nominals:

—-Kenneth Millard
—-Attorney at Law

J.D. is most often used in academic contexts. If you are the author of an article that’s published in an academic journal or teach at a university and are listed in the catalog, then using your specific academic degree is pertinent and traditional:

—-Kenneth Millard, J.D.  

And finally: Esq. andJ.D. are not used in combination.  It is very, very, very rare for a person holding a J.D. to want to be addressed as ‘Dr. (Name)’.  Dr. is not used after an attorney’s name in any circumstance.

—-—-—-– Robert Hickey  How to Use Esquire or Esq.

Robert Hickey author of“Honor & Respect”

Is ‘Esquire’ Used with Academic Degrees?

I live in the U.S., am a registered pharmacist – D.Ph. and I have a Juris Doctor – J.D.: I am a member of my State Bar Association so I believe I may useEsq.  Can I useEsquire after my name along with myD.Ph.?
————– RD

What is the correct order for Esq. among professional post-nominal abbreviations?  Last?   The other degree I want to include isJ.D.
————– MB

Dear RD and MB:

—-#1) Others will address you as  (Full Name), Esq. when they are addressing you in reference to legal matter in which you are providing counsel.

—-#2) Post-nominals for academic degrees are not used withEsq.

—-#3)Esq. is not an abbreviation for an academic degree, so it is not part of the official form of one’s name.

—-#4)UseJ.D. after your name only in academic settings.

– Robert Hickey   How to Use Esquire or Esq.

Robert Hickey author of“Honor & Respect”

When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?

You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing aletter, invitation, card orEmail.(If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you use when you say their name in conversation or when yougreet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site aremany thingsI do cover in my book:all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions,etc. I hope you’ll get acopy of the book if you’d like the further detail.

Not Finding Your Answer?

—-#1)At right ondesktops,at the bottom of every pageontablets andphones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.

—-#2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answeredsend me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.)Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.

—-#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.

— Robert Hickey

Robert Hickey author of“Honor & Respect”

Recommended Resources:  The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA)   For more information see theProtocol Resources page.