Esquire: Historical Significance and Modern-day Usage

Titles have been in use since the first civilization was built, giving people prestige and power. They served to keep society in check by dividing duties among different groups of people and establishing order. Titles are still in use in modern times; they just differ in terminology.

Esquire is one such word. The esq. meaning is a bit convoluted, having been used to refer to everything from shield bearers to lawyers. This article will talk about the word esquire, its origin, and its current usage in US law.

What is Esquire?

The word esquire in the present-day US refers to lawyers and can be appended to a person’s name. It indicates that a person is licensed to be a lawyer and is often abbreviated to Esq.

Historical Significance

The word esquire originated from France and was used to refer to shield bearers. It’s a military ranking, referring to someone immediately below a knight. This person’s main duty was to attend to a knight and carry his shield and other belongings. 

The British picked up this word and used it to refer to men of nobility. It was then passed on to America, presumably after colonization. 

Modern-day Usage

The title esquire is not used to verbally address anyone. However, it is used in writing when referring to lawyers in the US. It is typically written after a person’s full name, like so: Kevin Brown, Esq.

This title is not conferred on anyone, but people can be penalized for using it if they’re not qualified to be a lawyer. People can be confused and assume that those with the title are legally authorized to practice law, which is why using the title without a qualification is illegal.

Difference Between Other Titles

People commonly confuse the title esquire with a J.D. or Juris Doctorate. A J.D. is similar to titles like PhD or MD and refers to someone who has graduated from law school. It does not, however, imply that the person is free to practice law, as people can graduate from law school without passing the bar. 

Overview on Lawyers in the US

So, what’s the current status of the legal profession in the US? Here’s a brief overview:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over a million lawyers actively practice in the country. The pay scale varies widely depending on the area of practice and the city in which they choose to practice. For example, cities like New York and Los Angeles tend to pay lawyers more than other places. Patent law and corporate law are 2 areas of specialization known to pay well. 

Lawyers can make anywhere between $94,000 a year and $200,000 a year on average. In order to become a lawyer, you must pass the bar exam and undergo continuous education to keep your license. Getting into a top law school in the country gives you better job opportunities and the chance to expand your social network. 

Steps to become a lawyer:

• Get an undergraduate degree. (English, Political Science, Sociology, etc.)
• Pass the LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
• Graduate law school.
• Pass the bar exam.

Conclusion

To summarize, titles have been around almost as long as society has, and they give people power and prestige. The titles used have changed over time, and one such title is esquire. Originating in France in the Middle Ages, it was used to refer to shield carriers for knights. In modern-day America, it’s used to refer to lawyers. 

While the title isn’t used in speech and may not be frequently used in writing, it means a person is qualified to practice law in the US. Though the word esquire has fallen out of usage in England, people who use the title without being a lawyer can be penalized in the US.