Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers | March 4, 2025 | Miscellaneous
If you’ve ever spoken to, dealt with, or looked up an attorney on Google, you might have seen the term “Esquire” (frequently abbreviated to “Esq.”) at the end of their name. What does this mean, exactly? Is an attorney required to be an “Esquire” to practice law in New York City?
Defining the Term “Esquire”
According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, “Esquire” is a title appended to a lawyer’s surname. The definition also points out that the term was used in medieval England as an honorific for a member of the gentry, a class of nobles just below the king’s knights.
The term esquire first appeared in print in 1475 and eventually came to be used as a title for anyone with some measure of importance through the 18th century.
When the United States was first founded, titles of nobility, such as “King” or “Prince,” were prohibited by law. However, the practice of addressing all men of importance as “Esquire” continued into colonial times.
The term began falling out of favor by the second half of the 19th century, yet it was still employed among attorneys and other members of the bar. By the turn of the 20th century, the only members of American society who used the term “Esquire” were attorneys — a tradition that continues today.
Who Has the Right To Use the Title Esquire?
Nowadays, anyone who uses the title “Esquire” has earned the right to practice law in the U.S. The term is used to describe attorneys of all kinds, whether they represent clients harmed by car accidents, premises liability hazards, or cancer misdiagnosis.
Using “Esquire” In Written Communication
Attorneys sometimes have their legal assistants or paralegals draw up documents to submit to courts, such as a lis pendens or a request for judicial intervention. However, paralegals can’t argue cases before a court, so an attorney will often sign the motion in question.
In these instances, the attorney will put “Esquire” after their name to indicate that they’re standing behind their submission as a matter of law. Many attorneys also choose to include “Esquire” in other forms of written correspondence, such as official letters and email signatures.
Obtaining the Right To Use the Title
Every attorney in the U.S. must undergo certain steps to gain the right to use the title “Esquire.” These steps include the following:
Taking and Passing the LSAT
The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is a standardized test that prospective lawyers must take before being admitted to law school.
Attending an Accredited Law School
The average full-time law program takes three years to complete. To attend a law school, all prospective attorneys must have at least a bachelor’s degree, which can be in any subject.
Passing the State Bar Exam
The bar exam is administered to assess whether a would-be attorney has the requisite knowledge to practice law in a particular state. Upon completing the bar exam and becoming licensed, attorneys can call themselves “Esquire.”
“Esquire” Is a Time-Honored Formality
While any attorney can call themselves “Esquire,” the title is generally only used in formal written communication and as an honorific. There’s no requirement that an attorney use the term otherwise. In other words, you’re not required to call yourself “Esquire” if you’re a practicing attorney; many choose to.
Notably, an attorney may continue to use the title after they stop practicing law, though not to drum up business for themselves in other states where it’s prohibited. In this way, a retired legal professional can receive due recognition for their many years of dedicated service in the field.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in New York City at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers For More Help
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our NYC personal injury lawyers at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We also serve in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 24th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b
Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332
