Clients of the firm can review and sign their Paymaster Agreement online in the secure client portal. Many ask whether an electronic signature is as valid as one on paper.
The law
The federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN, 15 U.S.C. section 7001 and following) and California's Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Civil Code section 1633.1 and following) provide that a signature or contract may not be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic, when the parties have agreed to do business electronically. Some documents, such as wills, are excluded, but ordinary business agreements are generally covered.
How online signing works here
- You sign in to the client portal with your password and authenticator code.
- You read the disclosure about electronic records and give your consent.
- You read the entire agreement.
- You type your full legal name, draw your signature and re-enter your password to confirm it is you.
- The system records the date and time, your IP address and browser, and a SHA-256 fingerprint of the exact agreement text you signed, so any later change would be detectable.
- The attorney countersigns, and you can view and print the fully signed copy at any time.
Prefer paper?
You may withdraw your consent to electronic signing at any time before you sign and sign on paper instead. Call the office to arrange it.