what is proper salutation for attorney

by Donna Gutkowski Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 5 min read

Address an attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." in most contexts. ...
Use the courtesy title "Esquire" when writing concerning a legal matter. ...
Try "Attorney at Law" as an alternative to "Esquire. " If using the courtesy title "Esquire" feels stuffy to you, "Attorney at Law" also conveys the same level of ...
Add "JD" after an attorney's name in an academic setting. ...

For a practicing attorney, you address them as "Esquire" or "Attorney at Law." For salutations, you can use "Mr.", "Ms." or "Mrs." followed by their last name.

Full Answer

What is the proper salutation for an attorney?

Aug 11, 2020 · The salutation “Dear Mr.” or “Dear Ms.” is followed by the last name of the lawyer. Type a colon at the end of the salutation. How to Address a Lawyer on a Personal or Social Matter. Esquire is not used when addressing an attorney socially. Addressing an attorney for personal or social issues: Mr./Ms. (Full Name) (Address)

What is the proper way to address a lawyer?

Mar 31, 2020 · The proper salutation for a lawyer is to use Mr. or Ms. followed by the person’s last name. The title of Esquire, used in the legal profession, does not need to be used socially. Esquire, generally abbreviated as Esq., is a courtesy title used by lawyers who are representing opposing clients to define and establish themselves as the hired counsel in the case in question.

How to address a letter to an attorney?

What is the proper salutation for an attorney? Address a lawyer properly by understanding the difference between having a law degree and being licensed to practice law. For a practicing attorney, you address them as ” Esquire ” or “Attorney at Law.”. For salutations, you can use “Mr.”, “Ms.” or “Mrs.” followed by their last name.

How do you write a letter to an attorney?

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Tips

If you're addressing a female attorney, always use "Ms." unless you're certain she prefers "Mrs." Many professional women consider "Mrs." to be outdated.

About This Article

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 29,118 times.