Law firms handle documents at every stage of a client relationship. Engagement letters, agreements, declarations, forms, approvals, and supporting documents often need to move between lawyers, clients, witnesses, and other parties.

When these documents are handled entirely through email and paper, even a simple signing process can involve printing, scanning, sending attachments, following up, and maintaining multiple versions.

Electronic signatures give law firms a more structured way to send, sign, track, and retain documents.

Where Can Law Firms Use E-Signatures?

Not every legal document follows the same signing process. But there are several common areas where electronic signing can simplify document workflows.

1. Client Engagement Letters

An engagement letter establishes the relationship between the law firm and its client.

Instead of sending a document as an attachment and waiting for a scanned copy, firms can send the engagement letter for electronic signature and track whether it has been completed.

This can help with:

New client onboarding
Scope of engagement
Fee agreements
Terms and conditions
Conflict-related documentation

2. Client Intake Documents

New clients may need to complete and sign several documents before work begins.

A digital signing workflow can bring these documents into one process rather than handling each file separately.

For example, a client pack could include:

Engagement letter
Consent forms
Client information forms
Declarations
Supporting agreements

The firm can assign the required fields and send the documents to the appropriate signers.

3. Affidavits and Declarations

Affidavits and declarations can involve specific legal and jurisdictional requirements.

Where electronic execution is permitted, an e-signature platform can help manage the signing stage and maintain records of the transaction.

However, firms should always confirm whether a particular affidavit, declaration, or court-related document can legally be executed electronically in the relevant jurisdiction.

4. Agreements and Approvals

Law firms routinely prepare and review agreements that require signatures from one or more parties.

Electronic signing can be useful for:

Settlement-related agreements
Commercial agreements
Vendor agreements
Client approvals
Internal authorizations

Multiple signers can be assigned specific fields, with signing order configured when required.

What Should a Law Firm Look for in an E-Signature Platform?

For legal teams, signing the document is only one part of the process. The surrounding evidence and document controls matter too.

Audit Trail

A useful signing platform should maintain information about the signing activity, including relevant signer details, timestamps, and signing history.

Document Integrity

Legal documents should remain protected after signing. Controls that help detect or prevent unauthorized changes can provide additional confidence when managing signed documents.

Access Control

Not everyone in a law firm should have access to every client document. Features such as Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) can help control access according to user responsibilities.

Authentication

For sensitive legal documents, stronger authentication can provide an additional layer of protection. Depending on the platform and organizational setup, this can include Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO).

Signing Records

Features such as timestamped signing events, audit trails, and certificates of completion can help maintain a documented signing history.

How editplussign Fits Legal Workflows

editplussign brings PDF editing and electronic signing into one workflow, which can be useful for law firms that frequently prepare documents before sending them for signature.

A legal team can edit a PDF, add required information, prepare signature fields, assign signers, and send the document for signing.

The signing workflow supports:

Multiple signers
Signing order
Signature and other form fields
Notifications
Signing status tracking
Audit trails
Timestamped signing events
Certificate of Completion
Signature verification
Protection against unauthorized changes after signing

Security controls also include AES-256 encryption for data at rest, TLS 1.2+ for data in transit, MFA, SSO, and RBAC.

A Simpler Client Signing Experience

The biggest advantage for a law firm is not simply removing paper.

It is reducing the number of steps between “document ready” and “document signed.”

A typical workflow can look like:

Prepare → Send → Sign → Track → Retain

The lawyer prepares the document, assigns the required signers and fields, sends it electronically, and monitors the signing status from one place.

Clients can complete the signing process digitally instead of printing, scanning, and emailing documents back.

Before Moving Legal Documents Online

Electronic signing is not appropriate for every legal document or jurisdiction.

Before introducing an e-signature workflow, law firms should check:

Whether the document can be signed electronically
Whether witnesses or notarization are required
Whether a specific type of electronic signature is required
Whether court or regulatory rules apply
How signed documents should be retained

The legal requirements should determine the signing method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can law firms use electronic signatures for client engagement letters?

Yes, where electronic execution is permitted. Engagement letters are a common use case for digital signing because they can be sent to clients electronically and tracked through completion.

Can affidavits be electronically signed?

It depends on the jurisdiction and the specific affidavit. Some affidavits may have additional requirements involving witnesses, notarization, or specific signing procedures. Law firms should verify the applicable rules before using an electronic signature.

Are electronic signatures legally valid for legal documents?

Electronic signatures can be legally valid, but the requirements vary by jurisdiction and document type. Not every legal document can necessarily be signed electronically.

What should law firms look for in an e-signature platform?

Key considerations include authentication, access control, encryption, audit trails, document integrity, signer tracking, and reliable records of the signing process.

Can multiple people sign the same legal document electronically?

Yes. E-signature platforms can support multiple signers and, depending on the workflow, allow signing to happen in a defined order.

How does an audit trail help a law firm?

An audit trail records relevant information about the signing process, such as signer activity and timestamps. This can help maintain evidence of how and when a document was signed.

Can editplussign be used for law firm documents?

editplussign supports PDF editing and electronic signing workflows, including multiple signers, signing order, audit trails, timestamped signing events, certificates of completion, and document protection.

Conclusion

For law firms, electronic signatures can support client onboarding, engagement letters, legal agreements, declarations, approvals, and document packs, provided electronic execution is permitted for the specific document.

The right platform should support not only signing but also the security, access controls, document integrity, and records surrounding the signing process.

With editplussign, firms can prepare PDFs and manage electronic signing in one workspace, from document preparation through signing and tracking.

E-Signatures for Law Firms: Engagement Letters, Affidavits and Client Packs