If you’re going to address a lawyer in a letter, the best way to start is with his or her title. If the lawyer has an academic title, such as “Professor,” or is the owner of a law firm, the title “Professor” would be appropriate. A lawyer is generally considered a professional, and you should avoid calling him or her a lawyer unless you have some other way of addressing him or her.
When addressing a lawyer, remember that he or she is an expert in his or her field. Regardless of their gender, you should address attorneys as Esquire or Esq. If the lawyer is female, however, address her as Ms. The same presumption of authority applies to her or him. However, if you’re writing to a female attorney, be sure to let the recipient know which gender you’re writing to.
Attorneys prefer to be addressed by their first name. It’s not uncommon to find attorneys using first names in their correspondence, but the proper way is to address them as “John Justice.” If the attorney prefers to be addressed by his or her first name, then you can use that. While attorneys do not typically use the title “Esquire,” they still use it to address their envelopes. And remember that the title “Esquire” does not belong on an attorney’s letterhead or business card.
Using proper language in an email is essential to convey a professional message. When sending an email, make sure to capitalize the first and last name of the recipient. You can also add a comma between the first and last name. Then, add the title of the firm, including the address of the firm. After that, make sure to sign it “Esq.”
