INTERNET REVOLUTIONALIZES THE BUSINESS OF LAW.

• Author: Holt, Valerie
• Position: Digital signatures and legal technology - ILumin Corp. - Brief Article

Taking advantage of the Internet's digital medium is one way to simplify the practice of law for both attorneys and their clients. As in any business where the client is charged by the hour, it's welcome news that practitioners are taking steps to operate more efficiency. Adapting to the electronic era can be difficult in a field encumbered by tradition; however, efforts to improve legal processes are setting trends in Utah.

Digital Signature Law is at the forefront of the tilt toward the electronic medium. The concept stems from legislation that enables electronic signatures to be utilized in lieu of written signatures in certain circumstances. Utah signed off on the concept of electronic signatures in 1996, becoming the first state to do so.

Several Utah businesses, such as Ilumin, have had a hand in the development of digital signature technology and are contributing to the concept's momentum.

"At Ilumin, our product can be utilized to electronically deliver a document to the courts as a legally binding document," says Toby Brown (Toby@Ilumin.com), the company's vice president of strategic initiatives, Orem-based Ilumin is piloting a project utilizing digital signature technology which the company hopes will expedite criminal defense and appeals cases...