Help! How Do You Address Your Law Professor In Email?

[lyrarain]

I am having an email conversation with a law professor I haven't personally interacted with and don't know if I should write "Dear Professor Lastname" every time or "Hi Dr. Lastname"--is it appropriate to call law professors "doctor"?

My professor signs emails firstname lastname like a normal person, but in class we are all Mr. This and Ms. That. I am not sure what to do, and don't trust my instincts since I did undergrad on a firstname basis with everyone.

Help?! What do you all do when emailing back and forth (I am setting up conference panel & inquiring about joint degree stuff, not arranging to do work for him).

[Jumboshrimps]

OK. 'Doctor' is way wrong (unless your prof is one of those freak lawyers who insists on being called doctor, which is incorrect). 'Mister is almost as bad, because this person is your PROFESSOR. You should address him as 'Professor'.

[eray01]

I usually go with "Dude." It's short, succinct, and to the point.

[wkirby]

Is this thread a joke?

[gusrip98]

I usually go with "Dude." It's short, succinct, and to the point.

That is reserved for "The Dude"....his dudeness....from the Big Lebowski.

For the OP:

Professor X,

I would like to ask you about A, B, C.

Thanks,

Student Y

[eray01]

Well there is one exception to my dude rule. When addressing black professors I usually write "Hey Bro." They really love that.

[dkast]

Yo Prof

I gotz to get paid yo.

[tacojohn]

Professor or Prof.  He doesn't have a PhD, doctorate, or MD so he's not a Dr.  Also look at how he signs his e-mails.  If he signs them "Mr.", and you know him kinda well, I would consider being a little more informal.

[namenames]

My professor signs emails firstname lastname like a normal person

Then address him as if he were a normal person..

[tacojohn]

My professor signs emails firstname lastname like a normal person

Then address him as if he were a normal person..

I don't think that's right.  No first names, unless in class he asks to be addressed by first name.  My Contracts professor signs his e-mails with his initials, I wouldn't dream of starting an e-mail like that.