Can merely placing one's name in an email serve as an electronic signature?

Placing one's name in an email can indeed be considered an electronic signature if there is clear intent to sign. The key factor here is the intention behind the act of signing. Electronic signatures are defined broadly to include any form of a person's name or mark that demonstrates their intent to authenticate a document. Courts have ruled that an individual’s name included in an email can meet the requirements of an electronic signature as long as it is evident that the individual intended to confirm, agree, or authenticate the content of the email.

The concept of intent is crucial in understanding electronic signatures. It suggests that the signer has shown their intention to be bound by the terms set forth in the document or message. This principle is in line with many jurisdictions that recognize the validity of electronic signatures under laws such as the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA).

In contrast, other choices do not align with the legal framework surrounding electronic signatures. A formal signature is not required for a valid electronic signature, and there are no stipulations that it must be sent specifically to a lawyer or that it has to be a particular type of digital signature. Such requirements would unnecessarily complicate the process of confirming agreements and recognizing signatures in