Question for lawyers/law students/anyone

[Kevin]

When you pass the Bar, in most states, that means you are able to practice in the state courts without limitation. There are certain specialized Bars such as the Patents Bar, which are a little more specialized.

But once you pass that Bar Exam, you can go file environmental litigation, a consumer class action suit, 24 divorces, a bankruptcy and a civil rights action that same day. Whether you are actually competent to handle any of those is another matter entirely.

Law school teaches you the basics, and for the most part, classes won't prepare you to practice law. Either get some good internships or learn the ropes somewhere as an associate and life is good. There's no formal apprenticeship requirement, but that's generally how it works out anyhow.

As for Esq., I get things addressed to Kevin, Esq., but never address them as such. As for the academic realm, the J.D.s I know who do teach go by Dr., and there is an Attorney General's opinion discussing and allowing that practice.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

As for the academic realm, the J.D.s I know who do teach go by Dr., and there is an Attorney General's opinion discussing and allowing that practice.

Interesting. All law school professor's I've ever know were "Professor So-and-so." I've only known one lawyer who called himself "Dr." based on his JD. All the other lawyers laughed at him behind his back.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Interesting. All law school professor's I've ever know were "Professor So-and-so." I've only known one lawyer who called himself "Dr." based on his JD. All the other lawyers laughed at him behind his back.

In law school, it was professor. I assume it would be as much unless someone had an SJD, then he or she would definitely get to be called doctor (or whatever else they wanted to be called).

I'm talking about in an undergraduate college setting. The J.D.s all went by doctor and no one ever said anything about it. This includes the university's president.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I'm talking about in an undergraduate college setting. The J.D.s all went by doctor and no one ever said anything about it. This includes the university's president.

Ah, gotcha. Even then, though, the ones I've known, though, have gone by Mr. or Ms., unless they had another doctorate. In my experience, there is a real avoidance of calling someone "Dr." based on a J.D., perhaps because it's a relatively recent degree and many, many lawyers (and judges) didn't have a J.D. And again, maybe it's a regional thing.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Ah, gotcha. Even then, though, the ones I've known, though, have gone by Mr. or Ms., unless they had another doctorate. In my experience, there is a real avoidance of calling someone "Dr." based on a J.D., perhaps because it's a relatively recent degree and many, many lawyers (and judges) didn't have a J.D. And again, maybe it's a regional thing.

To be clear, Mr. or Ms. unless in an academic setting, then when surrounded by PhDs, "doctor" it is. If it's good enough for tenure, it should be good enough for everyone else.

It may be an Okie thing though, you may have me there.

LLB degrees haven't been passed out for quite some time, so perhaps the reason for avoidance of the term has faded?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

LLB degrees haven't been passed out for quite some time, so perhaps the reason for avoidance of the term has faded?

JD appeared in different states at different times. There are still a number of LLBs practicing and sitting on the bench around here.

Even so, I just think it sounds odd/pretentious/silly for a JD to use "doctor."

Originally Posted by DrPhil

In academia, including those who teach and conduct research, "Dr." tends to only be used for PhD, PsyD, and M.D.

Right. even in non-academic circles, I think lots of people tend to equate "Dr." either with a medical professional (physician, dentist, vet, doctoral level psychologist, etc) or with a PhD or something comparable to a PhD. I've known lots of people, and lots of lawyers (and I guess I'm probably one) who don't consider a JD to be a "real" doctorate. I mean, if you want an advanced degree after law school, you typically go for an LLM, a masters. That doesn't sound like you already have a doctorate to me.

I understand that the move to the JD was to make the law degree, which was then a bachelor's degree, more on a par with other professionals. But I feel quite sure that if someone called me Dr. MysticCat, I'd tell them I don't have a doctorate and am merely a Mister.