To write “Esq.” after a lawyer’s name, put the attorney’s full name first, add a comma, then write “Esq.” with a period at the end: Jane Doe, Esq. The abbreviation stands for “Esquire” and signals that the person is licensed to practice law. It always follows the name, never precedes it, and it replaces courtesy titles like Mr., Ms., or Dr. rather than joining them.
The Basic Format
The pattern is simple: First Name Last Name, comma, Esq., period. “Esq. Jane Doe” is wrong in every context. The comma before the abbreviation is standard, and the period after it is part of the abbreviation itself.
Middle names or initials sit where they normally would, inside the name portion. So “Jane A. Doe, Esq.” and “Jane Anne Doe, Esq.” both work.
Names With Jr., Sr., II, or III
When the attorney’s name carries a generational suffix, the suffix stays attached to the name and “Esq.” comes last. Write “Robert Conner Jr., Esq.” or “William Hayes III, Esq.” The generational suffix is part of the person’s legal name; the professional designation trails behind it.
Addressing Two Attorneys
Give each attorney their own “Esq.” Don’t try to share a single designation across two names. On one line: “Jane Doe, Esq., and John Smith, Esq.” On an envelope with both recipients, each name gets its own line and its own “Esq.”
Titles That Don’t Combine With Esq.
“Esq.” replaces courtesy titles. Use one or the other, not both. “Mr. John Smith, Esq.” is a common mistake that doubles up on formality. If you’re using “Esq.,” drop the prefix.
The same rule applies to “Dr.” A lawyer who also holds a Ph.D. or M.D. picks whichever title fits the setting. In a legal filing or on law firm letterhead, “Esq.” is appropriate. In a medical or academic context, “Dr.” fits better. Stacking both looks uncertain about which credential matters.
Sitting judges are addressed as “The Honorable [Full Name]” rather than with “Esq.,” regardless of whether they practiced law before joining the bench. This holds at every level of the judiciary, from magistrate judges to Supreme Court justices.
Where Esq. Belongs
“Esq.” is at home in formal written communication where the recipient’s status as a licensed attorney is relevant. The traditional spots are envelopes, the address block of formal letters, and the inside address. It also appears on law firm letterheads, business cards, and in the signature blocks of contracts, court filings, and other legal documents.
Email conventions have loosened. Many attorneys keep “Esq.” in their signature blocks, especially for messages that serve a professional or legal function. Between colleagues who already know each other’s credentials, leaving it off is normal.
Using the designation in formal contexts does more than mark formality. It distinguishes correspondence sent by a licensed attorney from correspondence sent by a paralegal, legal assistant, or other support staff, which can matter for questions of privilege and authority.
Who Can Properly Be Called Esq.
In American usage, “Esq.” signals that a person has been admitted to a state bar and is authorized to practice law. No statute formally reserves the title, and the New York City Bar Association has noted that “there is no authority that reserves the title ‘Esquire’ for the exclusive use of lawyers.”1New York City Bar Association. Formal Opinion 1994-5: Name; Use of Title Esquire Even so, using the designation creates a strong practical presumption of bar membership, so it matters who you attach it to.
Law Graduates Who Haven’t Passed the Bar
A Juris Doctor degree alone doesn’t entitle someone to “Esq.” The J.D. is an academic degree; “Esq.” is a professional designation tied to bar admission. A law graduate who hasn’t yet been admitted to practice should use “J.D.” after their name instead.1New York City Bar Association. Formal Opinion 1994-5: Name; Use of Title Esquire
Retired or Inactive Attorneys
A retired lawyer is still a lawyer, and many bar associations permit continued use of “Esq.” after retirement, provided the person adds a clarifying word so no one thinks they’re available for active representation. The usual form is “Esq., Retired.” Inactive-status attorneys face similar expectations: the title may be technically accurate, but adding “inactive” or “retired” prevents confusion. Rules vary by state, so attorneys transitioning out of active practice should check their bar’s guidance.
A Note on Gender
“Esq.” is gender-neutral in modern American practice. “Jane Smith, Esq.” and “John Smith, Esq.” are equally correct, and no gender-specific variation is in current use.
Esq. in International Correspondence
Outside the United States, “Esquire” often means something different, and using it as a legal designation can cause confusion. In the United Kingdom, “Esquire” has no connection to the legal profession; it functions as a general social courtesy for men and doesn’t imply that the recipient is a lawyer. In Canada, lawyers are typically referred to as “barristers” or “solicitors,” and “Esquire” is not a standard professional designation. Few common-law countries share the American habit of tying “Esquire” to bar admission.
For international correspondence, the safer choice is to drop “Esq.” and identify the person another way, such as adding “Attorney at Law” below the signature line or naming the person’s law firm and role.