Esq.
Law & Legal abbreviation · Legal Profession
| Stands for | Esquire |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
Esq. stands for Esquire, a legal profession abbreviation also used in general use.
Courtesy title written after the name of a lawyer in the United States, as in "Jane Smith, Esq.", mostly in correspondence, envelopes, signature blocks and court papers. It signals a licensed attorney, though no authority formally confers it.
Example: Please direct all communications about the lease to our counsel, Maria Lopez, Esq.
Usage notes
Style guides say never to combine it with a prefix ("Mr. John Smith, Esq.") or another post-nominal such as "J.D." Many lawyers avoid using it about themselves in speech. In Britain it was historically a courtesy title for gentlemen of rank, later used on letters to any man, with no link to the legal profession. Using it without a law license can mislead clients and may amount to holding oneself out as a lawyer.
Related abbreviations
More legal profession abbreviations
- AOR – Attorney of record
- Atty. – Attorney
- AV – AV Preeminent rating
- CLE – Continuing legal education
- CLO – Chief legal officer
- CP – Certified Paralegal
- GC – General counsel
- IOLTA – Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts
- KC – King's Counsel
- LLLT – Limited license legal technician
- LPC – Legal Practice Course
- LPO – Legal process outsourcing
See all 46 legal profession abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.