If you’ve ever searched for an attorney online or read a lawyer’s document, you’ve probably noticed the letters Esquire and JD. After looking into it, here’s what they mean: JD stands for Juris Doctor, which is a law degree earned after completing law school in the United States. To actually practice law, a JD holder must pass the bar exam.
“Esquire,” abbreviated as “Esq.,” is a professional designation that only attorneys who pass the bar exam can use. It shows that the person is licensed to practice law, can give professional legal advice, represent clients in court, and has all the responsibilities and powers of an attorney. Not every JD holder is an Esquire, because they may not have passed the bar yet.
What a JD Really Represents
JD stands for Juris Doctor, a professional law degree earned after graduating from law school in the U.S. It’s similar to an MD for doctors or an MBA for business professionals. The JD indicates that someone has completed the required courses covering the fundamental areas of law.
However, here’s where confusion often arises: holding a JD does not make someone a lawyer. Law school is just one step in the process. To practice as a lawyer, appear in court, or provide legal advice, a JD holder must complete additional requirements, most importantly, passing the bar exam.
Every state has its own licensing rules, which may include background checks, ethics evaluations, continuing education, and sometimes additional exams. Until a JD holder completes these steps and is approved by a state bar, they cannot legally call themselves an attorney.
What “Esquire” Really Means
The title “Esquire,” usually written as “Esq.” after a person’s name, is not a degree at all. Instead, it’s an honorary professional designation used only by individuals who are fully licensed to practice law. When someone adds “Esq.” after their name, it signals that they have:
- Earned a JD
- Passed the bar exam
- Been admitted to the state bar
- Obtained an active license to practice
Because of that, the title “Esquire” carries more meaning than many people realize. It is a public sign that the individual can represent clients, give legal advice, draft legal documents, and appear in court. It is also a form of professional respect, similar to how medical professionals use “MD” to show they are practicing physicians rather than medical school graduates who never completed residency or licensing exams.
It’s also important to understand that “Esquire” is not something people award themselves lightly. Using the title without being licensed can be considered misleading or even fraudulent. In other words, while anyone with a JD can legally write “JD” after their name, only licensed attorneys should use “Esq.”
Why People Confuse the Two
The confusion often comes from the fact that most attorneys have both a JD and the Esquire designation. That means you may see a lawyer’s name listed in different ways depending on the setting, sometimes with their degree (e.g., Jane Smith, JD) and sometimes with their professional title (Jane Smith, Esq.). However, these serve different purposes:
- The JD tells you about their education.
- “Esquire” tells you about their professional status and legal authority.
Understanding this difference helps you know whether someone is simply trained in the field of law or legally able to represent you.
Conclusion
A JD is the academic foundation required to enter the legal profession. It proves someone has completed law school, studied the core areas of law, and gained the knowledge needed to pursue licensure.
Esquire, on the other hand, is the mark of someone who has moved beyond education and earned the right to practice law by passing the bar and becoming officially licensed. It denotes professional authority, not classroom achievement.
