eSignature for legal
E-signatures for law firms and legal teams
Lawyers need signatures they can defend. Engagement letters, NDAs, settlement documents and agreements must be signed quickly and backed by evidence.
eSignSimple records timestamps, IP addresses and a SHA-256 document hash in an audit trail and certificate of completion for every document.
Our take: lawyers are right to be skeptical of e-signature marketing. A signature is only as good as the evidence around it, and a pretty signing page proves nothing on its own. What matters is who received the link, when they opened it, what exactly they signed and whether the file has changed since.
That is why every completed eSignSimple document carries a SHA-256 fingerprint that anyone can check on our public verify page. Opposing counsel does not need to trust us; they can upload the PDF and see whether it matches the fingerprint recorded at completion.
Evidence of signing
The certificate of completion documents each signing event and shows whether the document changed. We keep the evidence in a plain, readable certificate rather than a proprietary format only our support team can interpret.
Client convenience
Clients sign from any device without creating an account. That matters for individual clients, who are often signing an engagement letter on a phone between other appointments.
Knowing the limits
Some documents need wet ink, witnesses, notarization or qualified signatures. Simple e-signatures are not suitable for everything. We would rather tell you clearly where a simple electronic signature is the wrong tool than have a client find out in court.
Documents you can sign electronically
- Engagement letters
- NDAs
- Service and consulting agreements
- Partnership and operating agreements
- Promissory notes
- Settlement agreements
Tips
- Confirm whether a document type is excluded from e-signature laws in your jurisdiction (for example wills and some court filings).
- Keep the certificate of completion with the signed PDF.
- eSignSimple provides simple electronic signatures, not qualified electronic signatures.
- For engagement letters, use signing order so the client signs first and the responsible attorney countersigns last.
- Store matter-critical documents with both the signed PDF and the certificate in your document management system, not only in the signing tool.
- Our take: for cross-border matters in the EU, check early whether the counterparty or a registry requires a qualified electronic signature. It is much easier to plan for QES at the start than to re-sign later.
Templates for legal
Frequently asked questions
Are e-signatures legally binding for these documents?
In most cases, yes. Simple electronic signatures are recognized under the US ESIGN Act, UETA and the EU eIDAS Regulation. Some documents, such as wills or certain court and real property filings, may need wet ink, witnesses or notarization depending on the jurisdiction.
Does eSignSimple offer qualified electronic signatures (QES)?
No. eSignSimple offers simple electronic signatures with an audit trail. Use a qualified trust service provider when QES is required.
Can I prove a document was not changed?
Yes. The certificate records a SHA-256 hash of the final document, so any later change can be detected.
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