CLIENT SERVICES AGREEMENT & TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Bowden Group & Associates, LLC
Private Investigations • Intelligence Services • Litigation Support

Effective Date: 8/1/2026

These Client Services Agreement & Terms and Conditions (“Agreement”) govern the relationship between The Bowden Group & Associates, LLC (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) and the individual or entity purchasing or requesting investigative, intelligence, research, security-related, or litigation-support services (“Client,” “you,” or “your”).

By submitting an intake form, electronically accepting these Terms, signing an engagement document, or making any payment to the Company, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by this Agreement.

1. SERVICES

The Company provides private investigative, intelligence, research, surveillance, background investigation, litigation-support, and related professional services as specifically authorized and agreed upon with the Client.

Services may include, where legally permitted and applicable:

• Private investigations

• Background investigations

• Due-diligence investigations

• Surveillance

• Missing-person investigations

• Civil and litigation support

• Trial preparation support

• Intelligence research

• Asset and public-record research

• Witness and subject location services

• Corporate investigations

• Interviews and investigative research

• Documentation and investigative reporting

• Other services specifically authorized by the Client

The specific services to be performed will be determined by the Client's intake information, written engagement, proposal, invoice, statement of work, or other written authorization.

The Company reserves the right to decline, suspend, modify, or terminate an assignment if the requested activity would violate applicable law, licensing requirements, professional obligations, ethical standards, or Company policy.

2. LAWFUL PURPOSE REQUIRED

Client represents and warrants that the services requested are for a lawful purpose.

The Client shall not request or use Company services for:

• Harassment

• Stalking

• Threatening or intimidating another person

• Retaliation

• Criminal activity

• Fraud

• Identity theft

• Unlawful surveillance

• Unlawful interception or recording of communications

• Unauthorized access to computer systems, accounts, devices, or information

• Violation of another person's privacy rights

• Discrimination or unlawful employment practices

• Any other unlawful purpose

The Company may refuse any request that it reasonably believes could involve unlawful conduct.

The Client is solely responsible for the purpose for which information obtained through an investigation is ultimately used.

3. CLIENT REPRESENTATIONS

Client represents and warrants that:

1. All information provided to the Company is truthful and accurate to the best of Client's knowledge.

2. Client has the legal authority to request the services.

3. Client will promptly provide information reasonably necessary to perform the assignment.

4. Client will not knowingly provide false, misleading, or fraudulent information.

5. Client will not instruct the Company to perform an unlawful act.

6. Client will comply with all applicable laws relating to the use of investigative information.

7. Client understands that investigative services are professional services and not a guarantee of a particular result.

The Company may rely upon information supplied by the Client without independently verifying every representation made by the Client.

4. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW

The Company will conduct investigative activities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The Company does not guarantee that every requested piece of information can legally be obtained.

Certain information may be unavailable, restricted, sealed, inaccurate, outdated, incomplete, or legally protected.

The Company will not circumvent legal restrictions or obtain information through unlawful means simply because a Client requests it.

Where applicable, investigative personnel may be required to comply with licensing, registration, professional, evidentiary, privacy, surveillance, recording, and other legal requirements.

5. NO GUARANTEE OF RESULTS

Client acknowledges that investigative services involve circumstances outside the Company's control.

The Company does not guarantee:

• That a person will be located;

• That a subject will be observed;

• That surveillance will produce usable evidence;

• That a database search will produce complete information;

• That information will be current or error-free;

• That a particular fact will be discovered;

• That evidence will be admissible in court;

• That an investigation will produce a particular legal, financial, personal, or litigation outcome; or

• That the Client will obtain a particular result.

The Company's obligation is to perform the authorized services using reasonable professional efforts and lawful investigative methods.

6. INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION AND THIRD-PARTY DATA

Investigative information may originate from public records, commercial databases, third-party information providers, interviews, observations, research sources, court records, government records, open-source intelligence, or other lawful sources.

The Company does not independently guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of information supplied by third parties.

Database information may contain errors, omissions, duplicate records, outdated information, or information associated with another individual having a similar name or identifying characteristic.

The Company will exercise reasonable professional judgment when evaluating investigative information but cannot guarantee the accuracy of information originating from third parties.

7. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS AND CONSUMER REPORTING

Certain background, employment, tenant-screening, credit-related, insurance-related, or other investigations may be subject to federal or state laws governing consumer reports or investigative consumer reports.

Where applicable, additional disclosures, authorizations, certifications, permissible-purpose requirements, or compliance procedures may be required.

Client agrees to provide any information and documentation reasonably necessary to establish a lawful and permissible purpose before the Company performs services subject to such requirements.

The Company may refuse an assignment if the Client cannot establish a lawful permissible purpose.

8. SURVEILLANCE

Surveillance services will be conducted only through lawful investigative methods.

The Company does not guarantee that surveillance will be successful.

Surveillance may be affected by weather, traffic, public access, subject behavior, safety concerns, law-enforcement activity, vehicle loss, technical limitations, privacy restrictions, or other circumstances outside the Company's control.

The Company may discontinue surveillance when continuing the assignment would create an unreasonable safety, legal, or operational risk.

9. CLIENT COOPERATION

Client agrees to provide truthful and timely information necessary for the assignment.

Failure to provide necessary information, documents, access, authorization, contact information, or other requested materials may delay or prevent completion of the assignment.

The Company is not responsible for delays caused by Client's failure to cooperate.

10. FEES AND PAYMENT

Client agrees to pay all fees, deposits, retainers, hourly charges, fixed fees, expenses, administrative charges, travel charges, third-party charges, and other amounts disclosed in the applicable proposal, invoice, statement of work, or engagement agreement.

Unless otherwise stated in writing:

• Work may begin only after required payment or retainer has been received.

• Hourly services may be billed based upon the Company's applicable billing increments.

• Client is responsible for approved third-party expenses and reasonable investigation-related costs.

• Additional services outside the original scope may require additional payment.

• Payment does not guarantee a particular investigative result.

11. AUTHORIZATION TO BEGIN SERVICES

When the Client submits payment through the Company's website or other authorized payment platform, the Client authorizes the Company to begin the services identified in the applicable order, invoice, proposal, or engagement documentation.

The Client understands that investigative work may begin immediately after payment, including research, database searches, communications, scheduling, surveillance preparation, travel planning, records requests, or other investigative activities.

12. CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

Because investigative services may require immediate allocation of personnel, research resources, databases, travel, scheduling, and other expenses, payments may become non-refundable once services have commenced.

Any refund, credit, or cancellation determination will be governed by the applicable engagement agreement, invoice, proposal, or written cancellation policy.

Where services have not yet commenced, the Company may, in its discretion, determine whether a refund is appropriate after deducting any non-refundable third-party costs or expenses already incurred.

No refund will be owed for investigative work already performed or expenses already incurred.

13. ADDITIONAL SERVICES

If Client requests services outside the original scope of work, the Company may require additional authorization and payment before performing those services.

The Company is not obligated to perform additional work simply because it may be related to the original investigation.

14. CONFIDENTIALITY

The Company will treat Client information and investigative information as confidential, subject to applicable law and the Company's legal and professional obligations.

Confidentiality may not apply where disclosure is:

• Required by law;

• Required by court order, subpoena, or governmental authority;

• Necessary to protect the Company's legal rights;

• Necessary to investigate suspected unlawful conduct;

• Necessary to respond to a complaint or legal proceeding;

• Required by licensing or regulatory authorities; or

• Otherwise legally permitted or required.

The Company will use reasonable measures to protect confidential Client information.

15. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION

Investigative information is provided to the Client for the lawful purpose for which it was obtained.

Client agrees not to use investigative information for unlawful purposes, harassment, stalking, threats, intimidation, retaliation, or other improper conduct.

Client is responsible for determining how information is used after delivery, subject to applicable law.

The Company does not assume responsibility for actions taken by Client or third parties based upon investigative information.

16. REPORTS AND WORK PRODUCT

Where applicable, the Company may provide investigative reports, photographs, videos, documents, research findings, timelines, summaries, or other work product.

Reports may reflect information available to the investigator at the time the investigation was conducted.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, investigative reports are intended for the Client's authorized use and may contain confidential or sensitive information.

The Company may maintain copies of case records as required or permitted by law and Company record-retention policies.

17. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

Where required by applicable Georgia rules or other applicable law, investigative reports will be provided in the required manner.

Upon request, the Company may provide a written investigative report and applicable accounting of investigative fees consistent with applicable law and regulatory requirements. Georgia Board Rule 509-4-.06 addresses written investigative reports and detailed accounting of investigative fees.

18. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Company's proprietary methodologies, templates, systems, databases, software, investigative processes, forms, branding, reports, and internal work product remain the property of the Company.

Client receives the right to use materials delivered specifically for the Client's authorized matter, subject to applicable law and the terms of the engagement.

19. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

The Company may use lawful third-party services, databases, research platforms, technology providers, contractors, consultants, or other service providers when reasonably necessary to perform an assignment.

The Company is not responsible for independent errors, outages, delays, inaccuracies, or failures of third-party services outside the Company's reasonable control.

20. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from an investigation or services provided under this Agreement.

The Company shall not be responsible for losses resulting from:

• Third-party database inaccuracies;

• Information supplied by third parties;

• Client-provided misinformation;

• Subject behavior;

• Acts or omissions of third parties;

• Weather;

• Traffic;

• Natural disasters;

• Government action;

• Law-enforcement activity;

• Communication failures;

• Technology failures;

• Database outages;

• Acts of terrorism;

• Civil disturbances;

• Acts of God;

• Events outside the Company's reasonable control; or

• Client misuse of investigative information.

Nothing in this Agreement is intended to waive liability that cannot legally be waived or limited under applicable law.

21. INDEMNIFICATION

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its owners, officers, employees, investigators, agents, contractors, and representatives from claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses arising from Client's:

1. Breach of this Agreement;

2. False or misleading information;

3. Unlawful use of investigative information;

4. Misuse of investigative services;

5. Instructions to perform unlawful activities;

6. Violation of another person's rights; or

7. Conduct occurring outside the Company's control.

This provision does not require Client to indemnify the Company for liability caused by the Company's own conduct to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law.

22. LEGAL FEES AND COLLECTION COSTS

If permitted by applicable law and the applicable engagement agreement, Client may be responsible for reasonable costs of collection and attorneys' fees arising from unpaid amounts or enforcement of Client payment obligations.

Any contractual attorney-fee provision will be interpreted and enforced only to the extent permitted by applicable law.

23. NO LEGAL ADVICE

The Company provides investigative and intelligence services and does not provide legal advice unless separately licensed and expressly engaged to provide such services.

Nothing contained in an investigative report, communication, website, or other Company material constitutes legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.

Client should consult a licensed attorney for legal advice regarding the use of investigative information.

24. ATTORNEY AND LAW-ENFORCEMENT COORDINATION

When appropriate and authorized, the Company may communicate with attorneys, law-enforcement personnel, courts, government agencies, or other authorized parties concerning an investigation.

Such communication does not create an attorney-client relationship between the Company and Client.

The Company does not control decisions made by attorneys, law-enforcement agencies, courts, government agencies, or other third parties.

25. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Company may decline or terminate an engagement if it determines that a conflict of interest exists or may arise.

The Company may request additional information from Client to evaluate potential conflicts.

26. SAFETY

Investigative personnel may discontinue or modify an assignment if circumstances create an unreasonable risk of physical harm, legal exposure, property damage, or other significant danger.

Client acknowledges that certain investigations may involve unpredictable conduct by subjects or third parties.

The Company does not guarantee the safety of any person involved in an investigation.

27. TERMINATION OF SERVICES

The Company may terminate an assignment when:

• The Client requests unlawful conduct;

• The Client fails to pay required fees;

• The Client provides materially false information;

• The Client engages in abusive, threatening, or inappropriate conduct;

• A conflict of interest develops;

• Continued investigation becomes unlawful;

• Continued investigation creates unreasonable safety concerns; or

• Other circumstances make continued performance commercially, legally, or professionally unreasonable.

Client remains responsible for authorized services performed and expenses incurred before termination.

28. GOVERNING LAW

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.

Any dispute shall be handled in a court of competent jurisdiction as determined under applicable Georgia law and any applicable written engagement agreement.

29. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.

30. NO WAIVER

Failure by the Company to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of the Company's right to enforce that provision later.

31. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, together with the applicable Client Intake Form, proposal, invoice, statement of work, engagement agreement, authorization, and other written documents specifically incorporated into the Client's engagement, constitutes the agreement between the Company and Client concerning the applicable services.

If there is a conflict between this Agreement and a subsequently executed written engagement agreement, the subsequently executed agreement will control to the extent of the conflict.

32. ELECTRONIC ACCEPTANCE

Client agrees that electronic acceptance of these Terms, including checking an acceptance box, clicking an authorization button, submitting an online form, or completing an electronic payment transaction, constitutes Client's electronic signature and acceptance of this Agreement.

Client agrees to conduct the transaction electronically and acknowledges that electronic records may be used to document the engagement.

33. CLIENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By checking the acceptance box and/or submitting payment, Client acknowledges:

• I have read these Terms and Conditions.

• I understand the nature of the investigative services being requested.

• I understand that investigative results are not guaranteed.

• I understand that services may begin immediately after payment.

• I understand that payments may become non-refundable once services have commenced, subject to the applicable cancellation policy and applicable law.

• I confirm that my requested investigation has a lawful purpose.

• I confirm that the information I provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

• I agree to comply with all applicable laws concerning the use of investigative information.

• I agree to the Company's Terms and Conditions.

• I agree that my electronic acceptance constitutes my signature.

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WEBSITE CHECKOUT ACCEPTANCE

The following language is recommended for the Wix checkout/payment page:

I have read and agree to the Client Services Agreement & Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and applicable Cancellation/Refund Policy. I understand that investigative services may begin after payment and that payment does not guarantee a particular investigative result.

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