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Frequently Asked Questions
What Processes Does SQ Global Use to Ensure Quality? The quality control approach in our India operation was developed jointly with KPMG. Our document review processes and data security measures in India have received ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 27001:2005 certifications, respectively. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s leading developer of International Standards, and ISO standards specify the requirements for state-of-the art services and processes. In addition to our ISO certification, SQ utilizes Six Sigma for continuous process improvement. Six Sigma, made famous by companies such as GE and Motorola, is rapidly gaining legal market acceptance. Large law firms such as Shearman & Sterling, Jones Day, Weil Gotshal, and Gibson Dunn, as well as the law departments of Caterpillar, DuPont and Dow Chemical, use Six Sigma. SQ has developed proprietary Six Sigma processes to track and continuously improve quality and has a dedicated, full-time team of Six Sigma master black belts, who have achieved the highest level Six Sigma process expert designation. How Does SQ Global Recruit and Train its Lawyers? SQ’s recruitment and screening approach ensures that it hires only the highest quality lawyers with exceptional backgrounds and credentials. The company has strong relationships with universities and local placement agencies that provide a “grass roots” network for finding India’s best legal talent. Through these relationships, SQ not only hires the best talent, but also maintains a significant candidate pipeline so that it has pre-screened attorneys available to meet clients’ growing needs. When new lawyers start at SQ, they enter a four month, in-depth training and probationary period before attaining full-time permanent status. SQ’s U.S. attorneys train on-site in India or by secure videoconferencing from SQ’s U.S. offices. Why Does SQ Global Employ Only Permanent Full-Time Lawyers in India? SQ’s use of only permanent, full-time lawyers in India further ensures the highest quality work product at the lowest possible cost for the following reasons:
What Protocols Does SQ Global Have in Place to Supervise Attorneys? Even with the best legal talent, close supervision is essential to ensure quality and adherence to U.S. rules, standards, and practices. Managing offshore projects requires that U.S. trained attorneys be onsite to supervise and to answer staff questions in real time. SQ also has an additional level of review by state-side attorneys to ensure the highest quality work product and constant client communication. These permanent attorney employees of SQ have significant experience in complex litigation and project management of large document reviews and due diligence projects. Does SQ Global Offer a Hybrid of Domestic and Offshore Lawyers? Yes. Because legal offshoring is still in its early stages, some clients may initially want to use a combination of both onshore and offshore resources. With review teams in both countries, you can compare efficiency and quality, thus building confidence in the offshore work product. Moreover, continent-spanning teams can speed delivery time, working around the clock without compromising quality. Gaining the benefit of the hybrid approach, however, requires extensive communication between the client and the international legal teams. SQ works closely with you to vet (and then adjust as necessary) scope of work, review protocols, and time and cost estimates. SQ ensures that hybrid teams communicate continuously with you and with each other seamlessly. You receive regularly scheduled status updates and SQ reviewers rapidly escalate issues (e.g., privilege or relevance calls) to its project management group, which consults with clients as necessary. What Security Measures Does SQ Global Have in Place? Because confidentiality and data security are at the core of our corporate culture, SQ Global employs leading-edge technology to ensure the integrity of our clients’ most sensitive information. Our state-of-the-art infrastructure relies on secure networks with strong encryption technology and redundant backup capabilities. Constantly monitored, our network infrastructure is safe from intrusion and extrusion. We host our files on servers locked within secure facilities located in the U.S. Our ISO 27001:2005 certified security procedures include 24x7 security guards, high-resolution video surveillance, network intrusion detection, encrypted data transmission, locked-down desktops, and tight restrictions on e-mail and Internet usage. To avoid data loss, SQ has a fully redundant infrastructure, including back-up power and air conditioning, multiple connections to the Internet, and regular backups. Finally, to prevent unauthorized data changes, SQ uses database driven review software with granular permissions with an extensive audit trail. All of our employees are bound by strict confidentiality agreements, and access to client information is strictly on a need-to-know basis. Does SQ Global Meet All Relevant Ethical Obligations? SQ follows rigorous procedures to ensure that it meets all ethical obligations. It has retained a nationally known expert in legal ethics to review and confirm its approach to ethical compliance. SQ’s policies and procedures comply fully with the requirements set forth in recent New York City and San Diego bar ethics opinions concerning legal process offshoring. What Is SQ Global’s Reputation--Can It Furnish References and Case Studies of Past Projects? SQ is a fully owned subsidiary of QuisLex, one of the pioneers in offshore Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO) in India. SQ has provided outsourcing services to over 100 clients with experience in large-scale litigation document reviews, corporate due diligence, contract review and legal research projects. Many of India’s LPOs operate only in niches (e.g., patent filings). Few, however, can marshal the resources needed to work on the large scale, complex legal projects which are SQ’s primary focus. Most of SQ’s assignments come to us through referrals and repeat business from our satisfied clients. SQ has well-known clients who can provide references upon request. Case Studies are provided for your review. |
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