Although lawyers no longer wear powdered wigs, some traditions from the past remain—one of them being the title “Esquire.” But what does this term actually mean, and why is it still used today? Here’s a closer look at the history and significance of this longstanding legal tradition.
Esquire Definition
Ironically, Google’s top definition for “esquire” is simply a title added after a lawyer’s name. While people with medical degrees are addressed as Doctor Smith, those with law degrees don’t have any similar title. We don’t, for example, say Lawyer Smith. Because of this, lawyers who wish to let people know that they are lawyers add “Esq.” after their names.
The Difference Between “JD” and “Esquire”
Why don’t lawyers just put their degree after their name like most people with advanced degrees, such as Sally Smith, Ph.D., Bob Smith, LMFT, or Debbie Smith, M.A.? This is because roughly 10% of people who graduate from law school never actually become lawyers. In order to be called an Atlanta personal injury lawyer, someone must not just graduate from law school and pass the bar exam, but they must also be admitted to their state’s bar association. Numbers are not available to show how many people who pass the bar exam can’t get admitted to their local bar associations, but there are definitely some.
For this reason, you will rarely see someone using the letters “JD” or Juris Doctor, after their name unless they are a recent law school graduate. To most people in the legal community, JD reads as “didn’t pass the bar exam” rather than “law school grad.”
History of the Term “Esquire”
In England, the word esquire can be added to a man’s name to show respect or simply be courteous, such as Michael T. Smith Esquire. This use of the term is similar to how the Japanese add the word “san” after a name to show respect or be formal. In Spanish, using esquire after a name would be like calling someone “usted” instead of “tu.” It’s simply to show respect.
The word esquire has also been used historically in England to denote a nobleman who was training to become a knight, or it can simply refer to a landowner. It was considered a noble rank. During medieval times, esquire was a title of social rank slightly lower than knight.
Considering that the US Constitution bans titles of nobility but our founding fathers were British and accustomed to this type of terminology and thinking, they adopted the term as a way to respect an attorney’s professional standing. In other words, other countries do not refer to lawyers as esquires—this is a uniquely American tradition.
Other Terms and Abbreviations for Lawyers
While we are discussing the term esquire, why not look at some of the other terms for lawyers as well:
- Barrister: This is a British term for a litigator, typically a lawyer who represents people in the highest courts.
- Solicitor: This is also a British term for a lawyer, but a solicitor is distinct from a barrister. A solicitor typically spends more time doing paperwork than going to court. A solicitor may assist a barrister, but both are lawyers.
- Magistrate: This is a term in both the US and other English-speaking countries referring to a low-level judge.
Additionally, the terms lawyer and attorney are interchangeable. One is not higher than the other.
Need an Esquire?
If you accidentally hired someone who only had the letters “JD” after his or her name, Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers has a team of esquires to assist with your legal jam. We hope this post offered some insight. If you have any legal questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers of Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers in Atlanta for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have two convenient locations in Georgia, including Atlanta and Jonesboro, GA.
We proudly serve Fulton County and Clayton County, GA, and its surrounding areas:
Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Atlanta
139 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Suite 301, Atlanta, GA 30308
(844) 772 7826
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6909 Tara Blvd, Ste 200, Jonesboro, GA 30236
(678) 928-5051
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