terms and conditions

Effective Date: January 2026
Last Updated: February 2026

Introduction

Welcome to SteelMine Intelligence. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of our website and services. By accessing our website or engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

Please read these Terms carefully. If you do not agree with these Terms, do not use our website or services.

SteelMine Intelligence ("we," "our," or "us") reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Your continued use of our website or services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

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1. Services Overview

SteelMine Intelligence provides professional services in the following areas:

• Intelligence & Research Services: Fraud investigation, data analysis, risk assessment, due diligence, and dispute analysis
• Consulting & Advisory Services: Organizational ethics review, systems analysis, policy development, and strategic consulting
• Advocacy & Child Welfare Review: Foster care case review, child welfare advocacy, and systemic advocacy services

These Terms apply to all services unless superseded by a specific written engagement agreement.

2. No Attorney-Client Relationship

SteelMine Intelligence is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

• Our services may support legal processes, but we do not represent clients in legal proceedings
• Nothing on this website or in our communications creates an attorney-client relationship
• We may work alongside legal counsel but operate independently
• You should consult with a licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your situation

Any information provided through our website, consultations, or services is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

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3. No Financial Advisory Relationship

SteelMine Intelligence is not a financial advisor, investment advisor, or registered broker-dealer.

• We do not provide investment advice, financial planning, or securities recommendations
• Our fraud investigation and analysis services are investigative in nature, not investment guidance
• You should consult with a licensed financial advisor for investment and financial planning decisions

Any financial information we provide is for analytical or investigative purposes only.

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4. Engagement Terms

4.1 Consultation Process

• Initial consultations are typically 30 minutes and are provided to assess fit and scope
• Consultations do not create a client relationship unless formalized through an engagement agreement
• Information shared during consultations is confidential but not subject to formal engagement protections until an agreement is executed

4.2 Engagement Agreements

All client engagements require a written agreement specifying:

• Scope of services
• Fees and payment terms
• Confidentiality provisions
• Deliverables and timelines
• Limitations and disclaimers specific to the engagement

Client Engagement agreements supersede these general Engagement Terms for specific service provisions.

4.3 Independent Contractor Relationship

SteelMine Intelligence operates as an independent contractor. Our services do not create:

• An employment relationship
• A partnership or joint venture
• An agency relationship (except as specifically authorized in writing)

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5. Fees and Payment

5.1 Fee Structure

• Fees are established in individual engagement agreements
• Typical structures include hourly rates, project-based fees, or retainer arrangements
• Rates vary based on service complexity, urgency, and scope

5.2 Payment Terms

• Payment terms are specified in engagement agreements
• Invoices are typically due within 15 days unless otherwise agreed
• Late payments may incur interest charges at 1.5% per month (18% annual percentage rate) or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower
• Returned payments incur a $35 processing fee

5.3 Expenses

Unless otherwise agreed:

• Reasonable expenses incurred during service delivery may be billed separately
• Examples include travel, public records requests, specialized database access, or expert consultations
• Expenses exceeding $500 require advance client approval

5.4 Termination and Refunds

• Either party may terminate an engagement with written notice
• You are responsible for payment for all work completed through the termination date
• Retainer fees are non-refundable but will be applied to completed work
• Unused retainer portions may be refunded at our discretion based on administrative costs incurred

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6. Confidentiality

6.1 Our Commitment

We maintain strict confidentiality regarding:

• All client information and communications
• Case materials, documents, and evidence
• Findings, reports, and recommendations
• Strategic discussions and proprietary information

See our Privacy Policy for comprehensive confidentiality practices.

6.2 Your Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Not misrepresent facts or withhold material information
• Inform us of any conflicts of interest or confidentiality restrictions
• Understand that withholding information may affect our ability to deliver effective services

6.3 Limits to Confidentiality

Confidentiality does not apply when:

• Required by law: Court orders, subpoenas, or mandatory reporting obligations (e.g., child abuse reporting)
• Permitted by you: When you authorize disclosure in writing
• Necessary for legal defense: To defend against claims or protect our legal rights
• Preventing imminent harm: When disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm to individuals

We will notify you of required disclosures when legally permitted to do so.

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7. Limitations of Services

7.1 No Guarantees

We provide professional services with skill and care, but we do not guarantee:

• Specific outcomes: Results depend on facts, evidence, and circumstances beyond our control
• Legal success: We are not responsible for court decisions, agency determinations, or third-party actions
• Recovery amounts: In fraud investigations, recovery depends on available assets, cooperation of financial institutions, and legal processes
• Timeline certainty: Complex matters may take longer than initially estimated

7.2 Scope Limitations

Our services are limited to the scope defined in engagement agreements:

• We do not provide services outside our areas of expertise
• We may decline engagements involving conflicts of interest or ethical concerns
• We reserve the right to terminate engagements if material information is withheld or misrepresented

7.3 Third-Party Reliance

Our work product is prepared for your use only unless otherwise specified:

• Third parties should not rely on our reports or findings without our written consent
• We are not liable for third-party reliance on our work
• If third-party reliance is anticipated, this must be addressed in the engagement agreement

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8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Website Content

All content on this website is owned by SteelMine Intelligence and protected by copyright:

• Text, graphics, logos, images, and design elements
• Blog posts, articles, and published insights
• Methodologies, frameworks, and analytical approaches

You may not:

• Reproduce, distribute, or republish website content without written permission
• Use our content for commercial purposes
• Remove copyright notices or proprietary markings

You may:

• View and download content for personal, non-commercial use
• Share links to our website
• Quote brief excerpts with proper attribution

8.2 Client Work Product

Work product created for client engagements:

• Deliverables: Reports, analyses, and recommendations prepared for you are your property upon full payment
• Methodologies: Our analytical methods, frameworks, and processes remain our intellectual property
• Reuse: We may use de-identified insights, methodologies, and case studies (with all confidential information removed) for training, marketing, or future client work

8.3 Your Materials

Materials you provide to us:

• You retain all ownership rights
• You grant us a limited license to use materials solely for providing services to you
• We will not share your materials with third parties except as necessary for service delivery or required by law

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9. Liability and Indemnification

9.1 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

SteelMine Intelligence's total liability for any claims arising from our services is limited to the fees paid for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim.

We are not liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
• Lost profits, business opportunities, or revenue
• Data loss or corruption (except due to our gross negligence)
• Third-party actions or decisions based on our work product
• Delays or failures due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control

9.2 Professional Liability Insurance

We maintain professional liability insurance covering errors and omissions in our professional services. Coverage details are available upon request.

9.3 Your Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold SteelMine Intelligence harmless from claims arising from:

• Your misrepresentation or withholding of material facts
• Your unauthorized use or disclosure of our work product
• Your violation of third-party rights using our services
• Your failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations

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10. Dispute Resolution

10.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating formal proceedings, parties agree to:

• Communicate concerns in writing
• Engage in good-faith discussions to resolve disputes
• Consider mediation if direct discussions are unsuccessful

10.2 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Arizona, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

10.3 Jurisdiction and Venue

Any legal action arising from these Terms or our services shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Maricopa County, Arizona.

10.4 Arbitration

For disputes involving amounts less than $25,000 (excluding attorney's fees and costs), parties agree to binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association:

• Arbitration shall occur in Phoenix, Arizona
• Each party bears its own costs and splits arbitrator fees equally
• Arbitration decisions are final and binding
• Either party may seek injunctive relief in court without first pursuing arbitration

Class Action Waiver: You agree to bring claims only in your individual capacity, not as part of a class action or representative proceeding.

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11. Website Use

11.1 Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use our website for unlawful purposes
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful materials
• Interfere with website functionality or other users' access
• Scrape, harvest, or copy website content through automated means
• Impersonate SteelMine Intelligence or misrepresent affiliation

11.2 User-Submitted Content

If you submit content through contact forms, comments, or other means:

• You grant us a non-exclusive license to use submissions for business purposes
• You represent that submissions do not violate third-party rights
• We may remove or refuse to post any content at our discretion
• We are not responsible for user-submitted content

11.3 Availability

We strive to maintain website availability but do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted access
• Error-free operation
• Compatibility with all devices or browsers
• Preservation of all data or content

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue website features at any time without notice.

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12. External Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites:

• Links are provided for convenience only
• We do not endorse or control third-party content
• We are not responsible for third-party practices, content, or services
• Your use of third-party sites is at your own risk

Review third-party terms and privacy policies before use.

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13. Disclaimers

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

13.1 No Warranties

Services and website content are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties of accuracy, reliability, or completeness
• Warranties regarding results or outcomes

13.2 Information Accuracy

While we strive for accuracy:

• Website content is for general informational purposes only
• Information may become outdated as laws, regulations, or circumstances change
• You should not rely on website content as a substitute for professional advice tailored to your situation

13.3 Case Studies and Examples

Case studies and examples on our website:

• Are illustrative only and do not guarantee similar results
• Have been anonymized to protect confidentiality
• May not reflect current laws, regulations, or best practices
• Should not be interpreted as promises of specific outcomes

We reserve the right to decline or terminate engagements that conflict with professional obligations or ethical standards.

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14. Data Security

While we implement robust security measures (detailed in our Privacy Policy):

• No system is completely secure
• You are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of login credentials (if applicable)
• You agree to notify us immediately of any suspected security breach
• We are not liable for unauthorized access resulting from your failure to protect credentials

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15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid:

• That provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable
• All other provisions remain in full force and effect
• Invalid provisions do not affect the validity of remaining Terms

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16. Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce it in the future.

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17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with:

• Our Privacy Policy
• Any executed engagement agreement
• Any other written agreements between us

Constitute the entire agreement regarding your use of our website and services, superseding all prior agreements or understandings.

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18. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our written consent.

We may assign these Terms or delegate responsibilities to third parties in connection with:

• Business merger, acquisition, or sale
• Subcontracting specific services (subject to confidentiality obligations)
• Professional liability or insurance requirements

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19. Survival

The following provisions survive termination of these Terms:

• Confidentiality obligations
• Intellectual property rights
• Payment obligations for services rendered
• Limitation of liability and indemnification
• Dispute resolution procedures

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20. Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including:

• Natural disasters, pandemics, or public health emergencies
• Government actions, laws, or regulations
• Telecommunications or internet failures
• Acts of terrorism or war
• Labor disputes or strikes

We will make reasonable efforts to notify you of force majeure events and resume performance as soon as practicable.

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21. Notices

All notices under these Terms must be in writing and delivered to:

SteelMine Intelligence LLC
Email: info@steelminteintelligence.com

Notices are effective:

• Email: Upon confirmation of delivery
• Mail: Three business days after mailing via certified mail, return receipt requested
• In-person delivery: Upon receipt

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22. Electronic Communications

You consent to receive communications from us electronically:

• Email correspondence
• Website notifications
• Electronic delivery of invoices and reports

Electronic communications satisfy legal requirements for written communication.

You may withdraw consent by contacting us, but this may limit our ability to provide services.

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23. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time:

• Changes become effective upon posting to our website
• Material changes will be prominently posted
• Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
• Significant changes may be communicated via email to active clients

We recommend reviewing these Terms periodically.

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24. Questions and Contact Information

For questions regarding these Terms:

SteelMine Intelligence

Email: info@steelmineintelligence.com

Response time: We will respond to inquiries within 14 business days.

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25. Acknowledgment

BY USING OUR WEBSITE OR SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:

• You have read and understood these Terms
• You agree to be bound by these Terms
• You understand the limitations and disclaimers contained herein
• You have had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice regarding these Terms