Is there a comma after Esq?

Asked by: Cecile Luettgen I  |  Last update: November 23, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (68 votes)

DO use a comma to set off Esq. and other abbreviations that represent degrees or religious orders. For example: Roscoe Parker, Esq., is our representative in Washington, D.C. Rev. James Tooley, S.J., will lead the group in prayer before the meeting.

How to write Esq after a name?

Write the person using a standard courtesy title (“Mr. Robert Jones” or “Ms. Cynthia Adams”) Skip the courtesy title and put “Esquire” after the name, using its abbreviated form, “Esq.” (“Robert Jones, Esq.” or “Cynthia Adams, Esq.”)

How to use Esq in a sentence?

U.S. usage

“Esq.” is written after the lawyer's name and typically is included instead of—but not in addition to—“J.D.” Since it is an honorific like “Mr.” or “Ms.,” rules of etiquette dictate that the “esquire” title is used alone: Either “Ms. Jane Doe” or “Jane Doe, Esq.,” but not “Ms. Jane Doe, Esq.”

Do you put a comma after someone's title?

THE RULE: A comma separates initials, degrees, or titles from a name and from the rest of the sentence. For example, a pair of commas is used in the following sentences because the titles are parenthetical: Robert Yeager, Professor of English, is chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages.

How do I write a letter to an esquire?

Traditionally, this courtesy title is used only if you're writing the attorney about a case for which they are providing representation. If you're mailing your letter, write the attorney's full name on the envelope, followed by a comma and the abbreviation "Esq."

How to Use Commas in English Writing

20 related questions found

How is Esquire written?

While the abbreviated Esq. is correct, esquire is typically written in full when addressing a diplomat. If any other titles are used on the same line, esquire is omitted.

How do you put Esquire on a resume?

This section should include your bar admission. The ABA has a few recommendations for formatting this section: Put Esq. after your name in the contact information section.

Do you put a comma between name and credentials?

Do not use periods when abbreviating academic degrees. Note that this is a departure from AP Style. Put commas between the name and credentials, as well as between credentials (Kelly Smith, MD, PhD).

Do you put punctuation after a title?

Commas should sometimes be placed before – and after – names and titles. It all depends on the context. Let's start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word(s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after.

How do you write someone's title in a sentence?

Job Titles
  1. When a formal title precedes a proper name, capitalize: Professor of Physics Jane Smith.
  2. When a title follows a proper name, do not capitalize: Jane Smith, professor of physics.
  3. Lowercase and spell out titles when they are not used with an individual's name (e.g. “The president issued a statement.

Is there a comma after esquire?

DO use a comma to set off Esq. and other abbreviations that represent degrees or religious orders. For example: Roscoe Parker, Esq., is our representative in Washington, D.C. Rev. James Tooley, S.J., will lead the group in prayer before the meeting.

Is it Esq or Esq?

In the United States, esquire (often shortened to Esq.) is a title of courtesy, given to a lawyer and commonly appended to his/her surname ( e.g. , John Smith, Esq. or John Smith, Esquire) when addressing the lawyer in written form.

Do lawyers still use esquire?

Many attorneys choose to keep the honorific “Esq.” as part of their titles even after retirement. It serves as a reminder of their past commitments and practices, indicating the effort they put into their studies and careers and the support of the clients who came through their firm over the years.

Is Esq capitalized?

(initial capital letter) an unofficial title of respect, having no precise significance, sometimes placed, especially in its abbreviated form, after a man's surname in formal written address: in the U.S., usually applied to lawyers, women as well as men; in Britain, applied to a commoner considered to have gained the ...

What do you call a person with a law degree?

The titles JD and Esq. both refer to someone who has completed law school. JD stands for Juris Doctor, and signifies that someone has completed law school and earned their JD degree. Esq. stands for Esquire and is an honorary title that typically signifies someone has both completed law school and passed the bar exam.

How do you use Esq in an email signature?

You may also want to include your professional credentials or qualifications, such as “JD” (Juris Doctor), “LLM” (Master of Laws), or “Esq” (Esquire), after your name. However, this is optional. State your current job title, such as “Attorney at Law” or “Lawyer” to clarify your professional role.

Do you put a comma after someone's title in a sentence?

When the title is placed after the person's name, offset the title with commas and each word is lowercase. If the title is not a formal title, each word is lowercase. If the title is long, offset it with commas after the name or place it in front of the name with a comma.

When to use a comma example?

Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Example: I love vanilla ice cream, but my brother prefers chocolate. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.

Do I need a comma before a name?

If the name comes at the end of the sentence, the comma precedes the name: Stop jumping on the beds, boys. And if the name (or names) comes in the middle of the sentence, surround it with commas: What I said, Sean and Duncan, was to stop jumping on the beds!

Is there a comma between name and ii?

Never use commas before a Roman numeral, just as you would not separate the pope's name or a monarch's name from his or her initials: John Paul II, Elizabeth 2. Commas are no longer required around Jr. and Sr.

Do I put a comma after PhD?

When used after a name, an academic abbreviation is set off by commas (e.g., Mary Doe, Ph. D., spoke.).

Does the comma go after sincerely or your name?

Comma after sign offs

Regardless of what word or phrase you use as a sign off, remember that you need a comma before you sign your name.

Can I write Esq after my name?

"Esquire" (or its abbreviation, “Esq.”) is not any kind of official title. Esquire is an honorary title that is placed after a practicing lawyer's name. Practicing lawyers are those who have passed a state's (or Washington, D.C.'s) bar exam and have been licensed by that jurisdiction's bar association.

How do you address an Esq in a letter?

While framing a salutation or writing to a lawyer, the full name followed by 'Esq. ' is generally used. For instance, if one were addressing John Doe, who is an attorney, it should be written as 'John Doe, Esq. '.

How do you use Esquire example?

A lawyer adding "Esquire" after their name signifies that they are authorized to practice law. For example, seeing "John Smith, Esq." means that John Smith is a qualified lawyer.