# Proper Address for Female Attorney in a Business Letter **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231 "2005-11-15T23:07:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Raja\_Raja\_Chola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e480ec/32.png) [@Raja\_Raja\_Chola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raja_Raja_Chola)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/1 "2005-11-15T23:07:45Z")
If I’m writing a business letter to a female attorney, what is the proper salutation to use? Dear Sir: or Dear Madam: or Dear Ms. XXXX: Or something else. I have no idea what title (Mrs., Ms., Miss) she would prefer professionally. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/2 "2005-11-15T23:10:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Dear Ms. XXXX: This is fine. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/3 "2005-11-15T23:37:19Z")
Could I asked why you thought a woman would be called “Sir”? Not wanting to flame, just curious. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/4 "2005-11-16T01:06:49Z")
“Yo, bloodsucking psycho hose beast bitch:” At least, if you’re writing to my ex. [SUB]I kid! I kid![/SUB] 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/5 "2005-11-16T02:08:08Z")
If you have a clue as to her preferred style of address, “Dear Miss X,” “Dear Ms. X,” or “Dear Mrs. X,” as the case may be, is always appropriate. Ms. as a neutral use is common where one doesn’t know. But I would use “Dear Attorney X” in preference to all the above. (This is a very technical solecism but a common form of address.) ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/6 "2005-11-16T02:12:20Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > But I would use “Dear Attorney X” in preference to all the above. (This is a very technical solecism but a common form of address.) Blech. All the women attorneys of my acquaintence would rather see “Ms. XXX.” And _all_ the attorneys of my acquaintence will make fun of you behind your back for using “Attorney XXX.” Well, all the attorneys of my acquaintence except **Polycarp** , I guess. 😉 It will mark you as a rube. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/7 "2005-11-16T02:13:25Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > But I would use “Dear Attorney X” in preference to all the above. (This is a very technical solecism but a common form of address.) Common? With one exception, I’ve never seen or heard this usage. And I’ve been around a female attorney or two. The exception? I have heard African Americans use this title for lawyers. Otherwise, never. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/8 "2005-11-16T02:14:43Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Blech. All the women attorneys of my acquaintence would rather see “Ms. XXX.” And _all_ the attorneys of my acquaintence will make fun of you behind your back for using “Attorney XXX.” Well, all the attorneys of my acquaintence except **Polycarp** , I guess. 😉 It will mark you as a rube. > > –Cliffy Not an attorney, just a layman interested in the law. I sit corrected. (But you do have to admit it’s an improvement over **Lightnin’**'s suggestion! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/9 "2005-11-16T02:23:58Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > (But you do have to admit it’s an improvement over **Lightnin’**'s suggestion! 😉 Well, I thought about saying something about that, but I think I may know his ex. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/10 "2005-11-16T02:39:50Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Not an attorney, just a layman interested in the law. I sit corrected. You’re not a lawyer? Then for god’s sake, would you please stop giving better answers than me in legal threads? (_Other_ legal threads, obviously.) 😉 I had a case in the U.S. Virgin Islands not long ago and that was the common greeting from lawyers based there as well. Rubes, I tell ya! –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Raja\_Raja\_Chola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e480ec/32.png) [@Raja\_Raja\_Chola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raja_Raja_Chola)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/11 "2005-11-16T03:00:44Z")
> [@missbunny](#): > > Could I asked why you thought a woman would be called “Sir”? > > Not wanting to flame, just curious. I was thinking “Dear Sir:” might be a generic covering both genders, rather than a gender specific way of address. The way you used to be able to use “he” as a generic reference to either gender. Thanks for all the answers. ---
**Author:** ![Raja\_Raja\_Chola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e480ec/32.png) [@Raja\_Raja\_Chola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raja_Raja_Chola)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/12 "2005-11-16T03:02:05Z")
> [@Lightnin'](#): > > “Yo, bloodsucking psycho hose beast bitch:” > > At least, if you’re writing to my ex. > [SUB]I kid! I kid![/SUB] 🙂 It’s an acceptance letter for a job offer. I don’t think I’ll use this one. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/13 "2005-11-16T03:07:51Z")
> [@Random](#): > > but I think I may know his ex. This is brilliant, BTW. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/14 "2005-11-16T03:17:07Z")
> [@Random](#): > > Common? With one exception, I’ve never seen or heard this usage. And I’ve been around a female attorney or two. > > The exception? I have heard African Americans use this title for lawyers. Otherwise, never. I live in Northeast PA and I’ve heard people refer to attorneys as Attorney _X_. I’ve even seen ads using this. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/15 "2005-11-16T03:28:50Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > I live in Northeast PA and I’ve heard people refer to attorneys as Attorney _X_. I’ve even seen ads using this. Don’t let **Cliffy** know! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/16 "2005-11-16T20:14:07Z")
No one uses the form “Attorney Smith” as a form of address. You don’t say, “Hey, Attorney Smith, that’s a really big brief you have!” To their face, they would be Mr. Smith. If you don’t know the person to whom you are writing, “Dear Sir or Madam” is appropriate. If you do know the name of the person, and know that the person is female, then the acceptable default is “Ms.” “YO! Ambulance chaser person!” probably isn’t the most positive choice. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/17 "2005-11-18T20:49:50Z")
I’ve also seen, in business correspondence: Atty. Joan Smith 123 Any Street Anytown AZ 12345 Dear Counsel: …which I think is acceptable, if a bit impersonal. ---
**Author:** ![Atticus\_Finch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@Atticus\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atticus_Finch)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/18 "2005-11-18T21:34:54Z")
Where are you from, **Raja**? In Australia, we’d never address someone as “Attorney” or “Counsel”, it’d always be “Dear Mr \_\_\_\_\_,” or “Dear Ms \_\_\_\_\_,” if you were being extremely formal. If you knew the person, even vaguely, or felt like being casual, it’d be “Dear (first name),”. “Esq” is incredibly wanky, I’ve never seen it used in Australia. In a business context it’s ok to address a letter with the name and address on top, but no actual salutation eg: Ms Wilhelmina Proudfoot 232 Main St Pigsville 3480 NSW Re: Faulty product I write on behalf of my client, \_\_\_\_\_\_\_, blah blah blah. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/19 "2005-11-18T21:52:51Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > No one uses the form “Attorney Smith” as a form of address. You don’t say, “Hey, Attorney Smith, that’s a really big brief you have!” To their face, they would be Mr. Smith. > > If you don’t know the person to whom you are writing, “Dear Sir or Madam” is appropriate. If you do know the name of the person, and know that the person is female, then the acceptable default is “Ms.” > > “YO! Ambulance chaser person!” probably isn’t the most positive choice. I feel odd disagreeing with a lawyer on this, but… I’ve heard “Attorney” used as a form of address plenty of times. I worked for a lawyer, and I would say a majority of the clients who called for him asked for “Attorney X” (most of the rest just asked for him by his first name). Oddly, at another law firm, the attorney there insisted that all his staff refer to him as “Attorney Y”, as opposed to his first name, which was how we addressed our boss. This was in Connecticut, don’t know if it’s a regional thing or not. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231/20 "2005-11-18T21:59:16Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Don’t let **Cliffy** know! 😉 RUUUUUUBES! –Cliffy [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-address-for-female-attorney-in-a-business-letter/331231.md?page=2)