Alexandria, VA June 3, 2008 -- The Electronic Signature and Records Association (ESRA) will present an important update on newsworthy trends in business and consumer adoption of e-signatures and electronic records on Thursday, June 5, 2008, at the National Press Club in Washington. The press conference will feature a presentation by Jeremiah Buckley and Margo Tank, partners at the law firm of Buckley Kolar LLP, and counsel to ESRA. ESRA member companies, including users and providers of electronic signature and electronic record technology, will be attending the session as well. The National Press Club is located at 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC.

The press conference will detail the current state of the law regarding e-signatures and records, and its impact on the impressive adoption rates in industries including banking, mortgage loans, auto finance, student loans, and government services.

Congress passed the ESIGN Act in June 2000, and it was signed into law by President Clinton. ESIGN amended thousands of state and federal laws to permit the use of electronic signatures and records in place of ink signatures and paper. At the time, some believed that the law would open the floodgates for electronic transactions, but, in fact, it is only now, eight years later, that we are experiencing real and significantly measurable acceptance and use in the marketplace.

The challenges since 2000 have included legal uncertainty and the lack of financial and technological resources required to migrate industries to new platforms and modes of business.

Mr. Buckley and Ms. Tank will provide important details in this update including information on:

• The legal framework to facilitate and support enforceable electronic transactions. Also, important industry initiatives notably including "SPeRS," providing guidance on behavioral and legal aspects of employing electronic records and signatures in commercial and consumer transactions.
• The range of technologies in the marketplace making e-signatures and electronic records a reality.
• Statistics from a variety of industries now employing e-signatures including auto finance, mortgage lending, travel, student loans, government, etc.