Really now, what is an Esquire? Are any of you esquires?

[odoreater]

In the US, Esquire is used for lawyers. However, you should never address yourself as "Esquire". Therefore, if you are sending a letter to a lawyer named John Smith, in the address bar of the letter you would write: "John Smith, Esq." however, in the signature block where you sign, you would refer to yourself as "Odoreater Manoflaw" without the "Esq." Your letter head should also not refer to you as "Esq."

At least that's what I was taught at the very white shoe law firm where I was previously employed.

Like harvey said, it's probably not illegal for nonlawyers to use the title here, but it will be used as proof that you are practicing law without a license if you use it and are not a lawyer.

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

I've got quite a few letters to put after my name, but almost always choose not to. People don't give a damn about your education, they care if you can do the job right.

FLMountainMan, Esq., MBA, MPA, CFE, SCV

And in fact, it often annoys people. There used to be an administrator at a university where I worked who had two PhDs and actually signed his name "Buckminster Fauntleroy*, PhD, PhD." People just thought he was pretentious.





*Not his real name. I kinda wish it were, though.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

I've got quite a few letters to put after my name, but almost always choose not to. People don't give a damn about your education, they care if you can do the job right.

FLMountainMan, Esq., MBA, MPA, CFE, SCV

This is one of the things that bugs me about health care. It's very credential driven and I swear people manufacture letters to put after their names. I only use the various letters after my name when corresponding with idiotic regulatory/compliance folks from the government. They like to play that game the most and when I pull out the stops, I've got at least 20 letters I can legit put behind my name.

 

[FLMountainMan]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

I only use the various letters after my name when corresponding with idiotic regulatory/compliance folks from the government. They like to play that game the most and when I pull out the stops, I've got at least 20 letters I can legit put behind my name.

I'm the exception, right?........Right?

 

[Etienne]

This is what I really hate about the French system. We don't use those letters for titles or diplomas, the way they do in the UK and in the US, and we certainly don't use the titles in normal conversation the way they do in Germany.

I am incredibly arrogant and pretentious and I wish I could have a soup letter too! Maybe I should just move back to the US.

 

[Roy]

Originally Posted by Étienne

I am incredibly arrogant and pretentious and I wish I could have a soup letter too! Maybe I should just move back to the US.

Aaah don't feel bad. You're French. It's in your blood. At least you can enjoy the World Cup now right?

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by Roy

Aaah don't feel bad. You're French. It's in your blood. At least you can enjoy the World Cup now right?

suh-NAP!

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

I'm the exception, right?........Right?

But of course. And this is why your time in government is merely an interlude until you hit the big time. Don't forget, I worked for a regulatory agency myself, straight out of my first graduate degree. Eighteen frustrating months.

 

[Etienne]

Originally Posted by Roy

Aaah don't feel bad. You're French. It's in your blood.
You really think so? You're not just saying that?

 

[Don Carlos]

"Practicing law without a license" is definitely one of the funniest crimes of which I'd eventually like to be convicted. Right after "practicing medicine without a license."

 

[rdawson808]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

I only use the various letters after my name when corresponding with idiotic regulatory/compliance folks from the government.

Aside from my business cards, the only time I use PhD is when dealing asshats too! It let's them know they're not dealing with some schmuck they can push around.



Btw, why is it .esq and not just esq or perhaps Esq.?

(Note the periods.)

b

 

[Kuro]

Originally Posted by odoreater

In the US, Esquire is used for lawyers. However, you should never address yourself as "Esquire". Therefore, if you are sending a letter to a lawyer named John Smith, in the address bar of the letter you would write: "John Smith, Esq." however, in the signature block where you sign, you would refer to yourself as "Odoreater Manoflaw" without the "Esq." Your letter head should also not refer to you as "Esq."

.

this

 

[intent]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

Aside from my business cards, the only time I use PhD is when dealing asshats too! It let's them know they're not dealing with some schmuck they can push around.



Btw, why is it .esq and not just esq or perhaps Esq.?

(Note the periods.)

b
It's "Esq." I have no idea what the previous poster was doing (maybe it's a local thing?)

 

[Usul]

I have a question for the experts here: my father was Batman, so should I sign my name to correspondence as XXX XXX, Batman or is that something that should only appear on things addressed to me?

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by Usul

I have a question for the experts here: my father was Batman, so should I sign my name to correspondence as XXX XXX, Batman or is that something that should only appear on things addressed to me?

You should probably just shoot yourself and get it all over with.