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How Do I Write My Name as an Attorney?
    I am not sure if I should show my name on publications as Kenneth L. Millard, Jr. followed by "Esq., Dr." or "Dr., Esq." or just "Esq."  Any help would be appreciated.
         -- Kenneth L. Millard, Jr.

Dear Mr. Millard:
    The most traditional form for a practicing attorney would be ... e.g., on letterhead:
          Kenneth L. Millard, Jr., Esq.
     If you are the author of a article that's published in a academic journal, then using your specific academic degree is pertinent and traditional:
          Kenneth L. Millard, Jr., J.D.
     I have not encountered any practicing attorneys who request to be addressed as:
          Dr. Kenneth L. Millard, Jr. or in conversation as Dr. Millard
     Dr. would definitely not be used after the name in any circumstance.
                   -- Robert Hickey

May I use Dr. as a Post-Nominal Abbreviation?
    I have a Doctor of Laws from a law school. Is it proper for me to use "Dr."  after my name in additon to J.D.?
    Is the order:
            Kevin Greenhutt, J.D., Dr.
    Or should I use:
           Kevin Greenhutt, Esq., Dr.
   Thank you for your assistance.
         -- Kevin Greenhutt
            Greenhutt, Macy, Cline, & Heffner

Dear Mr. Greenhutt:
     The rule is to use either an honorific before the name or a post-nominal abbreviation after the name .... But not both.
     More often the question comes from M.D.'s who all use "Dr." so they are
         Kevin Greenhutt, M.D. ..... officially on a letter to his office
         Dr. Kevin Greenhutt .... socially on a letter to his home
    In no circumstance would Dr. appear after your name.
    Usually I observe that attorneys in academia specify J.D. ... Kevin Greenhutt, J.D. ... so they are are using a form parallel to their academic colleagues who are specific as to their degrees ... Ph.D., D.M., D.Div. etc.
    Most practicing attorneys use Esq.
         Kevin Greenhutt, Esq.
    But definitely not both J.D. and Esq.
    FYI, your question is answered in my book on page 161.
                   -- Robert Hickey

How to use Esq. with Academic Post Nominals?
      I cannot find a reliable source that addresses the use of Esq. along with academic credentials.
      I received a JD/MBA in 2004 and I am licensed to practice in both Georgia and Florida. As most attorneys admitted to practice in my jurisdictions do not have graduate business credentials, I think there is a competitive advantage if my clients and prospective clients know that I have and MBA in addition to my law licenses. What is the proper way for me to include these post nominals on my business cards, letterhead and email signature block?
              -- Gordon L. Pendleton, Atlanta, Georgia

Dear CAM:
         I include a chapter on courtesy titles and post-nominal abbreviations in my book.
         I think there is no mention of it for the following reason:
        JD and MBA are academic post-nominal abbreviations. There are rules for the ordering of post nominals and their use after names.
        Esq. is a courtesy title ... so it has more in common with other courtesy titles as The Honorable or The Reverend.  The rule with courtesy titles is ... while an elected official such as United States Senator may have a JD or an MBA ... academic degrees are not used with courtesy titles. So it always:
        The Honorable Saxby Chambliss
            And it is never
        The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, Esq
            or
        The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, JD
    Most attorneys in the US in practice use Esq. Those in academia are more likely to use JD.
    Would you consider the more academic approach?
        Gordon L. Pendleton, JD, MBA
               -- Robert Hickey

      Many many thanks for your prompt response and sage guidance. I will definitely add your book to my library.
              -- Gordon L. Pendleton, Atlanta, Georgia

Can You Address an Retired Attorney as Dr.?
      Since a non-practicing lawyer (i.e., no longer licensed) is no longer entitled to use Esquire, may we use Dr. to address her (since her academic rank is J.D.)?   Thanks!
              -- Rod

Dear Rod:
    Those holding a doctorate in academia or research typically are addressed as Dr. (Name).  So, a current or former professor of law might be addressed as Dr. (Name) socially or in academic settings.  All the other professors at the university will be doing the same.
    Outside those arenas (except for the personal preference of an individual here and there) only those in healthcare predictably use Dr. as an honorific.
    But ... may you address a retired lawyer as Dr. (Name)?
    I have not encountered an attorney who requested to be addressed as Dr. (Name).  But once I said I had not met an adult woman in business today who directed others to address her as Miss (Name), since I observe the standard in business has shifted to Ms. as the default honorific.  But this year I met two adult unmarried women in business who prefer to be addressed as Miss (Name).  It does not mean the default honorific in business is not Ms. ... but it means there is variety out there.
    So personal preference trumps any general guideline based on what is most typical.
               -- Robert Hickey

When Does a Law Professor Use Esq.?
When Does a Law Professor Use JD?
        When does one become an esquire, and when does that status end? What about law professors who might not keep their licenses active? Is the "Esq." credential acquired upon receiving a law degree, or does it not take effect until they have been admitted to a state bar?
        -- D.Y.U. APR, Stetson University College of Law, Tampa, FL 

Dear D.Y.U.:
USE OF JD vs. Esq.
        Today one when graduates from law school, one is typically granted a Juris Doctor or JD.
        An graduate from a law school could use:
               (Full Name), JD
       But typically practicing attorneys use the traditional form for practicing attorneys in the US:
               (Full Name), Esq.
       A professor who practices is entitled to use either when pertinent.
      JD's who are academics (teach at a university) tend to use JD .... following the tradition within academia to use their academic degrees. 
       A professor might well use Esq. on his law firm's letterhead.
       A retired attorney, would no longer have letterhead and business card proclaiming their 'open for business' status ... is unlikely to be in Esq. in retirement.
        If you are sending personal correspondence (a holiday card or anything social) to a law professor or a practicing attorney -- or to either when retired ... they are simply:
              Mr./Ms. (Name)
        Post nominals are not used on social correspondence.
        -- Robert Hickey

Back to directory of titles  /  See who is using Honor & Respect

For forms of address for invitations, place cards, name badges, introductions, conversation, and all other formal uses, see Honor & Respect: the Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address.

Copyright © 2011 Robert Hickey.     All Rights Reserved.
Photo: Marc Goodman.