esquire

esquire n. a form of address showing that someone is an attorney, usually written Albert Pettifog, Esquire, or simply Esq. Originally in England an Esquire was a rank above just "gentleman" and below "knight." It became a title for barristers, sheriffs, and judges.

---

esquire noun adviser, advocate, armiger, attorney, attorney-at-law, barrister, counsel, counselor, jurisconsult, jurisprudent, jurist, lawyer, legal addiser, legal practitioner, legist, member of the bar, memmer of the legal profession, officer of the court, practitioner, solicitor
Associated concepts: advice of counsel, assigned counsel, assistance of counsel, attorney of record, attorney's fees, benefit of counsel, Code of Professional Responsibility, counsel of record, denial of counsel, effective counsel, of counsel, Sixth Amendment, waiver of counsel

---

ESQUIRE. A title applied by courtesy to officers of almost every description, to members of the bar, and others. No one is entitled to it by law, and, therefore, it confers, no distinction in law.
     2. In England, it is a title next above that of a gentleman, and below a knight. Camden reckons up four kinds of esquires, particularly regarded by the heralds: 1. The eldest sons of knights and their eldest sons, in perpetual succession. 2. The eldest sons of the younger sons of peers, and their eldest sons in like perpetual succession. 3. Esquires created by the king's letters patent, or other investiture, and their eldest sons. 4. Esquires by virtue of their office, as justices of the peace, and others who bear any office of trust under the crown.