The federal ESIGN Act states that “a signature, contract, or other record relating to such transaction may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.”
Not every document can be e-signed; certain agreements, under U.S. laws, still require a “wet ink signature.” However, there is one type of agreement every law firm can take advantage of which lends itself perfectly to the electronic signature: the retainer agreement.
Retainer agreements, which are documents that formalize the lawyer-client relationship, are important because they turn potential clients into real, paying ones.
Here are a few reasons to ditch old-fashioned pen and paper and take advantage of e-sign at your law firm.
It’s Convenient for Your Clients (and You!)
We live in an age of convenience, which is why e-sign is so appealing. It is simple, quick and intuitive, so it’s very easy for your clients to use.
At every law firm, improving the overall client experience should be a main focus, and doing things through the internet is just easier for everyone.
Sure, some are slow to adopt new technologies, but let’s face it. People are always on their electronic devices. Smartphones, tablets and laptops are used by the masses on a day-to-day basis for both work and personal reasons, and they’re used on the go.
If signing important documents (in a situation where the client is most likely in need of immediate help) can be conducted via these devices, then you are reaching your clients where they are at and making their lives simpler and easier.
Save your clients time by allowing them to quickly sign a document from wherever they may be in their busy lives. It will improve their overall journey with your firm and it will stop their shopping process altogether.
It’s Safe and Secure
Contrary to popular belief, e-sign is potentially more secure than a traditional wet ink signature.
When signed, electronic signature platforms trace information on who signed the document using their IP address, when they signed it and at what location.
This can all be tracked and monitored, making e-sign safe and enforceable.
It’s Cost Effective
The cost of paper can add up in an office. By adding e-sign, your law firm is one step in the right direction of becoming paperless.
Printing, scanning, faxing, and sending via snail mail—these all come with costs that add up quickly.
E-sign allows you to save money on ink, paper, replacing old printers with expensive new ones, maintenance, postage, envelopes, and the list goes on.
You will save money and time (which is money) when you cut all of the aforementioned steps out of the contract signing process and add e-sign.
It’s Environmentally Friendly
Back to the paperless movement—e-sign is more environmental friendly than the traditional paper contract.
Like we mentioned before, printing, scanning and faxing a contract to someone means they have to print, scan and fax it right back. The amount of paper used in this transaction adds up, and it’s a similar situation of the contract is mailed.
E-sign cuts out this need for paper altogether, not just saving your law firm money, but saving trees, too!
We’re E-Sign Experts!
At Alert Communications, we use e-sign to take law firm leads from contact to contract through our contract services process. We love efficiency, and we’re e-sign experts. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
