
The legal world is filled with distinctive terminology. If you’ve seen the abbreviation “Esq.” after a lawyer’s name, you might wonder what it stands for. “Esq.” is short for “esquire,” a title reserved for someone who is legally authorized to practice law.
Any lawyer, whether they practice personal injury law, work as a defense attorney, or draw up contracts for a living, may add “esquire” after their name. It is commonly abbreviated, but there’s nothing wrong with writing out the whole word. Nevertheless, the history of the term is more complicated (and interesting) than many people realize.
Do “Esquire” And “JD” Mean The Same Thing?
Before diving into the etymology of the term, it’s important to note the difference between “esquire” and “JD,” both of which can follow a lawyer’s name.
“JD” is a shorthand for “juris doctor” or “doctor of jurisprudence.” Just as a medical doctor can add “MD” to their name after graduating from med school, a lawyer can add “JD” after graduating from law school.
The key difference between “JD” and “esquire” is as such:
- “JD” indicates a lawyer has a law degree but doesn’t necessarily indicate they’ve passed the bar exam.
- “Esquire” indicates that the lawyer has both graduated from law school and has passed the bar exam.
The difference between the two terms is an interesting tidbit of information. However, you might not see either one often, as many lawyers (though certainly not all) see the terms as outdated.
Where Did The Meaning Of “Esquire” Come From?
Just reading the term “esquire” might make you think of medieval knights. That’s because the word is so similar to “squire,” which, in the Middle Ages, was the title of a knight’s assistant (or, more accurately, their “shield-bearer”). Over time, the title of “esquire” was adopted instead.
Where it gets confusing is the fact that, by the 18th century, lower-level British nobles came to be called “esquires,” and members of the aristocracy were technically the “shield-bearers,” seeing as they wore a family coat of arms on a shield.
The meaning of “esquire” would become so muddied that it became impossible to tell who carried the title and who did not. Understandably, many people wanted to avoid accidentally offending a member of the nobility by failing to use their title. Thus, to play it safe, most would address anyone of possible importance as “esquire.”
Over the next century, the use of the term would fall out of common use, but it remained relevant among attorneys. However, its popularity continues to dwindle today, and it’s almost exclusively used in written communications, such as on a law firm’s letterhead.
Can An Attorney Put “Esquire” After Their Name Once They Retire?
There is no set rule as to whether an attorney may continue to use the “esquire” suffix after retirement. However, because medical professionals generally continue to use “Dr.” after they stop practicing, it’s reasonable to assume that a lawyer would do the same with “esquire.”
Of course, it would be unethical to use the title to mislead someone into thinking that a retired attorney is still practicing.
Why Does It Matter?
Though the term may not be as popular as it once was, you’ll almost certainly see an esquire or two every now and then. Understanding the meaning of the title (in addition to other legal jargon) can help you more thoroughly understand legal communication, whether you’re seeking an attorney for a case involving medical malpractice, brain injury, or any other concern.
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