Esquire
/ɪsˈkwaɪər/
Definitions
- (n.) A title of respect formerly used to denote social status just below a knight, now often an honorific appended to a lawyer's name in the United States.
John Smith, Esquire, is listed as the attorney on the case documents.
- (n.) Historically, a landowner or a gentleman ranking below a knight but above a gentleman; now largely obsolete in legal terms.
In medieval England, an esquire held estates but was not knighted.
Forms
- esquires
Related terms
See also
Commentary
When used in legal contexts in the U.S., 'Esquire' signifies a licensed attorney and is placed after the name without abbreviation.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.