[header] How to address an attorney on an envelope [title] Decide if you are writing to a lawyer or an attorney. [step] The words are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Lawyers have graduated law school and received a juris doctor (j.d.) degree. 
Attorneys have been admitted to the bar and are licensed to practice law. [substeps] Many professional people have law degrees but are not working in the legal field.