I am a lawyer that is also the president of a tech company. I am
admitted to the bar.
Which of the following should I put on my tech company business cards:
John Doe, J.D.
or
John Doe, Esq.

Thanks.

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 07 Dec 2005 14:28 PST

Please let me know if this discussion (among both lawyers and
non-others) helps you to make your decision:

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
Esquire v. Attorney v. Lawyer
http://www.abanet.org/soloseznet/threads/0505/esq.html

If so I'd be happy to post as an answer.

tutuzdad-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 07 Dec 2005 14:39 PST

As one who frequents court myself I cat attest to ther fact that
academic titles are rarely viewed negatively whereas honorary titles
sometimes have a negative effect or, in some case perhaps, may even be
intimidating. I?d also like to add that there is an element of society
that not only thinks the term Esquire is pompous and self-important
but also argue that the term is actually unconstitutional. Their
argument is based on the notion that the US Constitution forbids
aristocratic titles. The Articles of Confederation state that: "nor
shall the United States in Congress assembled, or any of them, grant
any title of nobility.? This of course is extreme but you can imagine
how this might be interpreted by at least a small portion of the
public. Based on these comparisons alone it would seem that the
academic title is probably the safest (or at least the most modest)
choice.

How?s that?

Tutuzdad-ga

---

Clarification of Question by jimmycparks-ga on 07 Dec 2005 16:00 PST

It's in the ballpark, but it doesn't answer the question as it
pertains to business cards (it would answer a question regarding
general forms of address for lawyers).
Here's what I mean: On this webpage a lawyer in a large California
firm insists that "Esq." is used on the BUSINESS CARDS in her law firm
-

http://www.jdjive.com/read.php?1,9079

"Re: Esquire
Posted by: Minimally Competent???
Date: November 15, 2003 08:44PM

I am working in a large lawfirm in the LA, California area. EVERYBODY
who has been admitted to practice law uses Esq. after their name. So,
get some business cards, but wait til you've been sworn in. John Q.
Public, Esq. IT ISN'T TACKY. Maybe on your checks it is a LITTLE
tacky."


It seems that what appears on business cards is different than what
appears, for example, on a signature line of a letter or e-mail.  The
link that was provided didn't address business cards.

I think your research was very good, but not the definitive business card answer. 
The ideal answer would come from some type of "business card format"
guidelines that a lawfirm would issue to its attorneys.  There is the
additional fact that I work in a tech field where  PhD and MD often
follow the name of the cardholder.

Thank you very much.

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 07 Dec 2005 16:14 PST

This attorney offers important etiquette advice about business cards specifically:

"...one does not use it of oneself (that is, one should not use it on
one's own business cards or stationery)--it should be used only in
address to other people..."

ESQUIRE
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19980609

tutuzdad-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 07 Dec 2005 16:26 PST

You will also note that on the same page where you retrieved the quote
you posted, others also said:

?If Esq is "the Firm custom," you go with The Firm Custom. But as a
solo, I'd never opt for "Esq." In fact, I see increasingly sarcastic
use of "Esq" by the public and media -- as well as Esq-averse
attitudes by lawyers.?

This lawyer, who was appalled by the address on a card she received
that included the title ?Esq. complained:

?I have never used "Esq." professionally as to me it is manly and
archaic, and have never used it socially, on invitations, stationary,
checks or membership lists. Now an entire herd of my peers who I have
never met will think I'm a pompous idiot.?

When you asked about what is most accepted and commonplace it suggests
that you are seeking opinion rather that indisputable fact. In my
circle the term ?Esquire? is viewed as antiquated, chauvinistic and
decidedly pretentious, even on a shingle.

Tutuzdad-ga

---

Clarification of Question by jimmycparks-ga on 07 Dec 2005 16:42 PST

Thank you. I think your last two pieces of information definitely
answered my question. Excellent work.

Dear jimmycparks-ga;

Since you are agreeable to my research as an answer I am merely going
through the formability of reposting the information here in an effort
to officially close your question:

As one who frequents court myself I can attest to the fact that
academic titles are rarely viewed negatively whereas honorary titles
sometimes have a negative effect or, in some case perhaps, may even be
intimidating. I?d also like to add that there is an element of society
that not only thinks the term Esquire is pompous and self-important
but also argue that the term is actually unconstitutional. Their
argument is based on the notion that the US Constitution forbids
aristocratic titles. The Articles of Confederation state that: "nor
shall the United States in Congress assembled, or any of them, grant
any title of nobility.? This of course is extreme but you can imagine
how this might be interpreted by at least a small portion of the
public. Based on these comparisons alone it would seem that the
academic title is probably the safest (or at least the most modest)
choice.

This attorney offers important etiquette advice about business cards specifically:

"...one does not use it of oneself (that is, one should not use it on
one's own business cards or stationery)--it should be used only in
address to other people..."

ESQUIRE
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19980609

You will also note that on the same page where you retrieved the quote
you posted, others also said:

?If Esq is "the Firm custom," you go with The Firm Custom. But as a
solo, I'd never opt for "Esq." In fact, I see increasingly sarcastic
use of "Esq" by the public and media -- as well as Esq-averse
attitudes by lawyers.?

This lawyer, who was appalled by the address on a card she received
that included the title ?Esq. complained:

?I have never used "Esq." professionally as to me it is manly and
archaic, and have never used it socially, on invitations, stationary,
checks or membership lists. Now an entire herd of my peers who I have
never met will think I'm a pompous idiot.?

When you asked about what is most accepted and commonplace it suggests
that you are seeking opinion rather that indisputable fact. In my
circle the term ?Esquire? is viewed as antiquated, chauvinistic and
decidedly pretentious, even on a shingle.

I hope you find that my answer exceeds your expectations. If you have
any questions about my research please post a clarification request
prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



INFORMATION SOURCES

Defined above


SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINE USED:

Google ://www.google.com


SEARCH TERMS USED:

JD

ESQUIRE

TITLE

ETIQUETTE

PROPER

PRETENTIOUS

BUSINESS CARDS

Great, thorough work. The researcher found things I couldn't find in
my 2 hours of searching. This service is super. I'll definitely use it
again.

You yourself should certainly NOT put an "Esq" after your name, or a
"Mr" before it. It is for other people to give you those marks of
respect, if they so choose. On the other hand, it would be in order
for you to place "J.D." after your name, as a qualification to which
you are entitled.

Quite right.

I firmly believe it's a matter of personal choice.

If you've got "Esq." listed after your name then having both titles is
redundant because "Esq." in the US means that you're a lawyer.

Therefore, I'd suggest that you simply put "John Doe, Esq." or if you
wish, simply put "John Doe, J.D."

Although, it's common parlance to simply put "Esq." after your name
when you're lawyer, since it's understood that if you're an attorney,
then you would have a Juris Doctorate.

I hope this helps to solve your dilemma and congratulations on becoming a lawyer!

A note to "answers1001":

1. I didn't ask about using BOTH titles
2. It is possible to be an attorney without having a J.D. (in seven
states), therefore you are incorrect when you say "since it's
understood that if you're an attorney, then you  would have a Juris
Doctorate."