# When and why did "Esquire" become synonymous with "lawyer", at least in the United States? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 27, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445 "2022-08-27T19:26:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/21 "2022-08-27T21:11:52Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > here’s a copy of a letter, written by a member of the Harvard Law School, from 1930, to Henry Wise, a lawyer who practiced in the Boston area fyi - that letter would be standard usage in the U.K. (both in 1930 and still today) when formally addressing any man, not necessarily an attorney. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/22 "2022-08-29T17:23:09Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/fevrq9U.gif) ](https://i.imgur.com/fevrq9U.gif) ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/23 "2022-08-29T20:30:14Z")
P.A. = Professional Association ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/24 "2022-08-29T21:33:59Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > = Professional Association Right. You use it to designate a _business entity_, not a person. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/25 "2022-08-30T12:27:14Z")
For attorneys, it’s usually P.A. or L.L.C. (Limited Liability Corporation). ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/26 "2022-08-30T12:40:48Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > (Lawyers in Canada currently don’t use “Esquire” at all, probably because of the Q.C. as a more preferred postnominal. I have seen “Esquire” used in some older case reports.) But QC’s are a teeny tiny proportion of lawyers, only granted to those of exceptional merit. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/27 "2022-08-30T17:55:30Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > For attorneys, it’s usually P.A. or L.L.C. (Limited Liability Corporation). It depends on the particular state’s law. There are at least a dozen different designations commonly used. Actually the most common one in my experience is L.P., but there are many others, including L.L.P., L.L.L.P., and Chtd. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/28 "2022-08-30T19:33:22Z")
Guess I shouldn’t have dropped out of the MBA program to start a cannabis farm… ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/29 "2022-08-31T11:33:23Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > In Opinion 1995-14 (1995), the committee traced the origins of esquire to the Middle Ages, when it was a title conferred on candidates for knighthood in England. I’ve always wondered…if an attorney was knighted, would the titles cancel each other out? (e.g. Sir John E. Dewey, Esq, just becomes John E. Dewey) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2022, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/30 "2022-08-31T12:26:28Z")
For the record, this TV commercial for Esquire wristwatches (featuring attorneys loudly introducing themselves as “[Name], Esquire!”) first aired in the mid-90s. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lp5K9_SyRqw/hqdefault.jpg "Esquire Watch Commercial (Circa 1995)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp5K9_SyRqw) ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2022, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/31 "2022-08-31T14:02:41Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > I’ve always wondered…if an attorney was knighted, would the titles cancel each other out? John E. Dewey, Esq. gets promoted to Sir John E. Dewey, Kt. The “Kt.” means he outranks any lowly “Esq.” ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/32 "2022-08-31T14:30:30Z")
If he still wants to emphasize that he is a lawyer, his business card might read “John E. Dewey, Kt., LLB.” to indicate that he has a law degree. ---
**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2022, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/33 "2022-08-31T16:59:44Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > How about female American attorneys? A few years ago, I took series of depositions in the South and the court reporting company would list appearance as John Smith, Esq. and Jane Doe, Attorney. I suspect that used to be the convention, but it’s the only time I’ve seen it. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/34 "2022-09-01T04:10:29Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > But QC’s are a teeny tiny proportion of lawyers, only granted to those of exceptional merit. Seems to me that it would make someone using « Esq » look wannabe. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/35 "2022-09-01T04:11:37Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > If he still wants to emphasize that he is a lawyer, his business card might read “John E. Dewey, Kt., LLB.” to indicate that he has a law degree. Having a degree doesn’t make you a lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/36 "2022-09-01T13:01:10Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > holders of any superior office under the crown, barristers-at-law (but not solicitors) [Slight hijack] What’s the difference between a ‘barrister’ and a ‘solicitor’? [/Slight hijack] Tripler I routinely get spam emails from both. . . ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/37 "2022-09-01T13:02:36Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Having a degree doesn’t make you a lawyer. True, having a degree doesn’t make you a lawyer, in that it doesn’t directly indicate that you are licensed to practice law. But, in the circumstances, it might be sufficient to indicate that you want to make clear your possession of legal expertise of some kind. I mean, if it is a situation in which it is absolutely necessary for you to be explicit, then you would say something like “Licensed by the Bar of XXX” or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/38 "2022-09-01T13:24:48Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > What’s the difference between a ‘barrister’ and a ‘solicitor’? In the United States, nothing - these terms don’t exist. In places that do draw the distinction, a barrister is a lawyer who goes to court, whereas the solicitor is your usual “transactional” attorney. [https://www.thelawyerportal.com/careers/difference-between-solicitor-and-barrister/](https://www.thelawyerportal.com/careers/difference-between-solicitor-and-barrister/) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/39 "2022-09-01T13:43:52Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > In places that do draw the distinction, a barrister is a lawyer who goes to court, whereas the solicitor is your usual “transactional” attorney. Although, in modern times, solicitors are permitted to make most court appearances. Barristers are required only for the highest courts. An interesting point: Traditionally, the client doesn’t hire a barrister directly. The client’s _solicitor_ hires the barrister. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445/40 "2022-09-01T13:59:48Z")
I’m both. Our Law Society carries forward the distinction, but defines all lawyers as both barristers and solicitors. We use the term as an informal quick summary of a lawyer’s type of practice. My practice is mainly barrister work (which I definitely would not have predicted at law school!) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445.md?page=3)