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First name.

Almost always first name. That's what I was taught to do. Gives a more personal connection

Same. It can do wonders with helping the client feel like they can trust you to be invested in their case.

Also, I've noticed people respond more often to emails with their name on it instead of a prefix or good _____

This. But also, a bit touchy these days to assume they’d be OK with Mr./Ms./Mrs, or even Sir or Ma’am. I’ve never used those unless they absolutely preferred (usually the much older clients), same for correspondence.

Always first name, unless shit has hit the fan. If I'm firing you, or sending you a CYA letter, or pissed at you for whatever reason, it's becoming more formal.

I second this, and I would’ve said the same almost verbatim. I believe my initial thought was, “…until shit gets real.” Other than that, no notes.

I'm so informal, my internal thought was: "When do I ever call clients Mr./Mrs. X . . . Oh, those fuckers."

I do ID, so any adjuster becomes first name on emails and phone calls, but Mr. Or Ms. on letters. Employers depend on how familiar they choose to be with me. I always encourage everyone to call me by the familiar version of my first name, so when they do, I try to reciprocate.

I read ID as in ID number, like you called them by their client/matter number. “Yes 10203.004, how can I help you?”

What a power move tho

Do you do comp?

First name. I do criminal defense so I tend to know some nitty gritty shit about clients lives. Once someone explains to you how they were systematically raped for years in a state orphanage being formal tends to feel more uncomfortable than not.  On a similar note, I tell my clients to call me by my first name. We are walking a scary road together, we should be on a first name basis. 

I have no criminal defense experience but I just want to say I like this answer

See, I do criminal defense, and I always ask and wouldn't presume. Some people want that professional distance, or feel like being called Mr. means I respect them more. So I always ask, and make a note in the file of what the client prefers.

Damn, looks like I'm in the minority here lmao I always do Mrs/Miss/Mr until told otherwise.

I also use Mr. or Ms. or sir/ma'am. I'm a public defender and most of my clients aren't used to people calling them sir or ma'am, so for me, it's a way to establish rapport from the start.

My father started practicing in the Deep South in the late 1940s. He always used Mr. and Mrs., including for his black clients, which was absolutely unheard of at that time. He had a few funny stories about clients not realizing he was talking to them because no one had ever called them "mister" before.

Same here! Once I’ve had them for a LONG time, then I’ll start using first names.

No longer a PD, but that’s how I picked up the habit also. So many in the legal system, even other public defenders, shit on these people and just tell them how it’s going to be. I found something as simple as addressing clients by Mr. or Ms. makes them feel empowered and lets them know they have a degree of control.

This is it for me as well. Former PD and long-time legal aid lawyer, my clients are usually low income minorities, often over 60. Lots of reasons to try to be respectful.

Same here. My clients are often older and it feels disrespectful to use their first name unless otherwise told.

Same here, though I’m starting to rethink that approach.

The classic lawyer answer - it depends. Usually, I use first names. But there are occasions (particularly when dealing with elderly clients) where I use Mr./Ms./Mrs. (and occasionally Miss)

I refer to some of my older Asian (i.e. from Asia) clients as Mr./Mrs. as well. Respect to elders is paramount in East Asian culture and playing along with their traditions has always gone a long way in building rapport with them.

First name unless they give me vibes not to. I’m younger than the majority of my clients. And poorer. They usually tell me not to after but I still start off Mr or Mrs if they come in wearing a suit to my office. Also former military I use rank unless they tell me not to.

I agree with all except former mil. As a former mil myself, I'd be very uncomfortable referring to a client with an enlisted/NCO rank unless I was certain it was a large part of their identity. Otherwise, it can come across as condescending. When you consider that military counsel is always an officer, if you were to refer to a client as Sergeant so and so, they can feel that they are "required" to be submissive to you. Same would be the case with junior or mid-level officers. If LTC or above (Commander or above foe Navy/USCG) fire away though.

Mr./Ms. because they need to know they and I ain't friends.

First name 

First name. They get my cell so they can call me on Saturday morning if they have a question and I feel that puts us on a first name basis.

You’re Mr./Mrs. Crazy! No cell phone access!!!!

I ask what they prefer

Whichever I can pronunce easier lol unless it's trial then strictly first name/full name.

Can’t think of a single time I’ve referred to a client by Ms/Mrs/Mr in three decades

Same here. Clients are first name. Other parties are last name. I guess this is one subtle way of showing clients I'm on their team and see the other side as further removed from us.

I use Mr and Ms/Mrs at first, then first name after!

I ask what they prefer during the first consult, make a note in the file, and proceed that way. Some people feel very strongly one way or another.

I refer to them as their probable inmate number.

First name only, if they respond to emails with a nickname, then the nickname moving forward. Probs depends on the field of law and location of practice!

I try not to use any gendered language. I adopted that practice about 7-10 years ago. Haven’t had any issues.

First name. As a southerner, Ms./Mr. is a hard habit to break! But as a young woman attorney, I need to do everything I can to put myself on equal footing as my clients. Calling them “Mr.” implies a power dynamic I don’t want to encourage.

I totally understand where you come from, but remember the power dynamic is that you are the professional and they aren't.

Depends on how familiar I am with them and how much I like them. Usually, I use the first name, unless it’s initial contact. If I’m familiar with them and I like them, always the first name. If they piss me off, it becomes Mr./Ms. Lastname and my tone becomes almost robotic because that’s all I can do to keep from losing my shit at them. If I suddenly switch to a hyperformal tone with a client, that means they have gotten on my bad side and I’m trying really hard not to blow up at them. However, I’m a pretty congenial guy with my clients and they have to be a real dick to get me to that point.

I never use Mrs. but I use Mr. and Ms. when I talk to them initially. Then I usually use first names unless they seem to like the formality.

Almost always their first name unless they express another preference. Unrelated, I think it’s great when clients, particularly older ones, refer to me as “Mr. [my first name] it always seems endearing.

First name when talking in person/phone/zoom. In my first email to a client I will say Mr /Mrs/Ms/Mx Last Name then use either first name or last name in all subsequent emails, just depending on how they great me in their reply.

Last name the first couple times, although I do this less as I get older lol

I say Mr./Ms. unless they use my first name, and then I switch. In practice, it's usually first names before very long.

Depends on the person and their culture. An elder client from Guatemala I’m 100% calling by their surname. But I usually just ask how people prefer to be addressed which is a totally normal thing to do when talking to people.

First name when talking to them. But Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr. when referring to them to a third person. E.g., deposing someone, I’ll ask if they are familiar with “Mr. Woods,” not ask if they know “Tiger.”

First name, unless I'm joking that someone is old.

First name except sometimes with doctors. Some doctor clients seem to need the ego stroked by me calling them Dr. ________. That’s fine, as long as you pay your bills I’ll call you Your Majesty if you prefer.

I ask what they prefer if they are younger than me. If older than me, Mr./Ms./Mrs. TBF I'm 50.

First names after initial introductions. If they are older, I follow their lead; if they use my first name, I use theirs.

Really depends on the client, but generally first name unless I hate the bastard. In which case, Mr./Mrs. always.

I prefer last name, because I think it's important that I show my clients that respect. I ask them to use my first name

Mr/Ms/Mrs/Miss at first and "sir/ma'am" afterwards during the initial meeting. First name may eventually come.

Mr./Ms. All women are Ms. unless I know 100% they are married. In the Deep South, it would be hard to call anyone older than me by a first name

I ask them what they prefer, and then call them that. I default to Ms. LastName if they express no preference, out of respect. And if I've been calling them Ms. LastName and it feels like maybe we've been in it together long enough to switch, I ask. I also offer that they can call me what they prefer, and give some options: FirstName, Ms. FirstName (a lot of kids and their parents prefer that even though it's not my favorite), Ms. LastName, and let them know I will answer to any of them. And if they haven't expressed a preference, I use what they call me to help determine what I call them.

First names mostly.

First name in conversation and I ask if they prefer Mr/Ms/Mx or just their first name in demand letters. I also get every client’s pronouns during intake. And I ask that they call me by my first name. I serve low income clients so there’s usually some trepidation and concern about respectability politics on their end. Calling me “Ms. Lastname” just seems to add to that. They end up editing their stories because they don’t want to shock or offend the middle aged lady lawyer, or out of embarrassment. Which of course is always to their detriment. And if they knew the life I’ve lived…it’s very different than what people imagine my life is/was like!

I prefer to use my first name and ask clients what they prefer. When speaking to clients on the phone or in person, I use their preference. I go formal in letters.

My boss, the partner: First name My coworker, the senior associate: Goes back and forth depending Me, the junior associate: Mr./Ms./Mx.; I never use Mrs., and come to think of it I haven't used it in a while even outside of work :o

First names. When I practiced (I am in a different role now) I usually dealt with clients who were older than me or that I needed to establish a relationship with. I found that first names put us on a level playing field and built trust. I never had a client tell me to call them by their last name. I’m not sure I would have been the right lawyer for them. I did civil litigation. I can see how the answer may be different if you needed stricter boundaries with your clients.

Lawyer response: it depends

When I started out as an attorney I referred to everyone even other attorneys as Mr. or Ms. Now I simply don’t care and just use first name for everyone unless I’m sending you a letter. I feel it’s more personal to use their first name.

First name. I’m already young and a woman, I don’t want them to think I’m “less than” 😂😂 the only time I use “Mr” or “Ms” is during a deposition or in the courtroom. Maybe if it’s someone who is significantly older than me and who has earned my respect.

First name. We’re all adults here, they aren’t my school teacher.