Terms and Conditions

Thank you for choosing DLA Editors & Proofers, LLC (“DLA,” “I,” “me,” or “my”) for editing, proofreading, or consultation services (the “Services”). These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) form part of the contract between you (“you” or “Client”) and DLA when you place an order or pay a deposit.

These Terms incorporate my Privacy Policy, which appears on my website.

1. Who Provides the Services

You work directly with me, David Lombardino.

2. What the Services Include (and Do Not Include)

I provide professional editing, proofreading, and consultation services based on the service you select and the instructions you provide.

Unless we agree otherwise in writing, I do not provide:

• ghostwriting or copywriting
• academic integrity work intended to conceal misconduct
• legal, medical, financial, or immigration advice
• guarantees of grades, publication, acceptance, funding, employment, or other outcomes

3. Placing an Order and Starting Work

To begin a project, you submit your request through the Get Started form, located at https://www.dlaeditors.com/get-started and on the service pages of the website (or another method we agree to in writing). Your submission is a request for services.

A project becomes scheduled and work begins when I receive the required deposit (or full payment when required). Until then, I may decline the project or propose a different due date.

4. Due Dates and Turnaround Times

Your selected due date reflects the completion date for the Services you purchased, based on the information and files you submitted.

If I need to revise a due date because of factors on my end, I will contact you promptly. You may choose either:

• a revised due date we both confirm in writing, or
• a refund of the deposit if I have not started work.

5. Payment Terms

You agree to pay the project fee shown at checkout or otherwise confirmed in writing.

• Deposit: The deposit reserves time on my calendar and initiates work.
• Remainder Due: If a remainder is due at completion, you agree to pay it before I deliver final files.

6. Delivery of Edited Files

When I complete the Services, you receive an email notification.

• If a remainder is due, you receive delivery after payment.
• If no remainder is due, you receive delivery at completion.

7. Client Responsibilities

You agree to:

• provide accurate project information and a working file format
• review my questions and respond within a reasonable time when your response affects the work
• keep a copy of your original files
• review edits and accept or reject changes based on your judgment

You remain responsible for your final content, submissions, filings, and publication decisions.

8. Changes After Submission

You may update your files before you pay the deposit.

After you pay the deposit, I begin work and I cannot accept revised files unless we both agree in writing. If I do accept a revision after work begins, I may need to adjust the due date and fee.

9. Cancellation

• Before deposit payment: You may cancel at any time.
• After deposit payment: Cancellation is not available because I begin work and reserve calendar time for your project.

If an emergency prevents you from proceeding, email me and I will review options. Any accommodation is at my discretion and will be confirmed in writing.

10. Multi-Round Packages and Unused Rounds

For multi-round packages, you purchase a reserved set of rounds to complete the service. I do not refund unused rounds.

If we finish your project in fewer rounds than the package includes, you still receive the value of the package through the work performed and the reserved capacity I set aside for your project.

If a package requires your participation and you do not provide needed inputs to proceed, the package remains nonrefundable.

11. Satisfaction Guarantee and Free Second Edit

I want you to feel confident in the work.

If you believe my work did not meet the service you purchased or the instructions you provided, you may email me a written notice within 30 calendar days of delivery (“Notice of Dissatisfaction”). Your notice must identify specific issues and include examples.

After I receive your notice, I will provide a free second edit focused on the concerns you raised. You agree to give me up to 5 business days (or another timeframe we confirm in writing) to complete that second pass.

Refunds are not the standard remedy. If a free second edit does not resolve the concerns, I will review the situation and determine whether any refund applies based on the work performed and the circumstances.

12. Plagiarism and Misrepresentation

I respect original work. I may refuse or stop work if I believe a project involves plagiarism, misrepresentation, or misconduct.

If I stop work for this reason, you remain responsible for payment for time already spent and work already performed, and I may refund any unearned portion at my discretion.

13. Confidentiality and Privacy

I treat your files and project information as confidential and handle personal data according to my Privacy Policy, located at https://www.dlaeditors.com/privacy-policy.

If you need an NDA, I will review and sign one on request.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent allowed by law:

• I am not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.
• My total liability for any claim related to the Services will not exceed the amount you paid for the specific project that gave rise to the claim.

15. Disclaimer of Warranties

Except for the Satisfaction Guarantee process described above, I provide the Services “as is” and disclaim warranties to the extent permitted by law.

16. Dispute Resolution

If a concern arises, you agree to contact me first by email and allow a reasonable opportunity to resolve it.

If we cannot resolve a dispute, the parties agree to binding arbitration in Houston, Texas under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (or a comparable administrator). The arbitrator may award fees and costs as permitted by law.

17. Governing Law and Venue

Texas law governs these Terms. Any court proceedings related to arbitration enforcement or non-arbitrable claims will be filed in Harris County, Texas.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, the Privacy Policy, and the order confirmation (including service selection, due date, fee, and delivery option) form the entire agreement for your project. Changes require written agreement by both parties.

19. Updates to These Terms

I may update these Terms from time to time. Updates apply to new projects going forward. Active projects use the Terms in effect when you paid the deposit unless we both agree to a change in writing.