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Esquire (abbreviated Esq.)

Esquire is a term of British origin, given to a male candidate for knighthood who served a knight as an attendant and a shield bearer. Within the United States it is now used by attorneys and signifies the attorney is licensed to practice law. In a way, functioning as a legal shield bearer for their client. This usage applies to both male and female lawyers.

As a matter of custom, the title Esquire is not used when referring to sitting judges, who are "members of the bench" rather than "members of the bar", and are prohibited from practicing law in most United States jurisdictions. Judges will generally assume the prefix "The Honorable" (abbreviated Hon.) as a title of respect.

Lawyers may use the title "Doctor"

Lawyers who hold the degree "Juris Doctor" may use the title "Doctor". Lawyers were called "Civil Doctors" long before physicians were referred to as "Doctors." Today many lawyers are entitled to use the title but most do not.

The Juris Doctor degree is a professional doctorate and was first awarded by Harvard University, in the United States, in the late 19th century as a degree similar to the old European doctor of law degree. Originating from the 19th century Harvard movement for the scientific study of law. The degree is conferred in Latin as "Juris Doctor" but is translated to English as "Doctor of Law" or "Doctor of Jurisprudence".

People who hold doctoral degrees (professional or research) are able to use the the title that accurately reflects their advanced level of education. A Juris Doctor (JD) degree requires about 90 semester units of education, 30 units more than a PhD. JD candidates also research and write anywhere from 65-125 pages of publishable material before they graduate. They have to sit for an extremely arduous licensing exam, which certifies that they have a foundational expertise in their chosen area of study, the law.

The American Bar Association (ABA) states that in the very least the JD is comparable to a PhD. The JD degree is a professional doctorate, just like an MD, DDS, OD, DO, DC, DPM, PsyD, to list a few and is known as a "Doctor of Jurisprudence."

The fact that most attorneys do not use the title "Doctor" is not because it is inappropriate or inferior, but because most holders of a JD distinguish themselves as licensed attorneys, and use the titles Esquire or Counselor.

A person who is awarded a JD but who is not licensed to practice law may not use the title Esquire and therefore may prefer to use the title Doctor such as in an academic setting.