First, Skype.com or a similar provider enables a lawyer to buy
a local number to allow the LPO to answer and receive calls for the lawyer.
Further, voicemail can be sent to the LPO.
Second, using free Skype videoconference a
lawyer can see, hear and speak
to the LPO for as long as needed.
Third, the LPO can send and receive emails and
faxes for the lawyers.
Fourth, for documents which require personal or
offline mail delivery, the lawyer can domestically outsource the task to an
attorney service and a mail house. The LPO uploads needed filing or personal
service to the attorney service. Also, the LPO can upload documents signed with
an electronic signature to the mail service for domestic mailing. The
only documents the LPO cannot send are documents with original signatures.
However, electronic signatures are now valid.[1]
Finally, documents received by the lawyer by non-electronic means can be
scanned so that the LPO can access them. For the organization of hard documents
the lawyer must perform the work in-house or domestically outsource the work.
[1] An electronic signature
performs a significant legal function in connection with electronic records and
transactions. Signed records are intended to make many kinds of contracts
enforceable and electronic signatures are critical to electronic commerce
applications. The E-Signature Laws With the adoption of the Uniform
Electronic Transactions Act (“UETA”) in most states and the passage of Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
(“ESIGN”) at the federal level in 2000, the legal landscape for use of
electronic records and electronic signatures in commerce has been firmly
settled. Rule of General Validity
Both ESIGN and UETA establish a legal framework based on the principle that
electronic records and signatures carry the same weight and legal effect as
traditional paper documents and handwrittten signatures.
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