One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while navigating the intersection of freelance work and contract law is this: a handshake promise, when clear and relied upon, can be just as binding as a signed agreement.
In my recent engagement with Verdant Strategies, that principle came into sharp focus. Here’s what happened.
A Clear & Specific Promise
Verdant Strategies offered me a transition from my content management role into a strategic SEO leadership position. The proposal wasn’t vague—it was precise:
- A monthly SEO budget of $5,000 to $6,000,
- Expanded responsibilities,
- A clear action plan to execute over the course of a long-term engagement.
Their language and timing left no room for ambiguity. This wasn’t brainstorming—it was commitment. I was being positioned to lead the company’s SEO direction moving forward.
My Reasonable Reliance
In good faith, I, Joseph, acted on that promise. I immediately began allocating time, resources, and strategic planning toward Verdant’s SEO initiatives. I developed frameworks, outlined KPIs, and started mapping out a transition plan to execute once the new agreement took effect.
At no point did Verdant Strategies reject, question, or alter the offer. Their silence was not only telling—it was reinforcing. In contract law, this kind of behavior suggests mutual understanding and assent.
The Retraction—and the Damage It Caused
But after I had already begun the work—on the assumption that this transition was set to begin—Verdant Strategies pulled the offer.
There was no cause given. No explanation. No attempt to mitigate the disruption or recognize the investment of time and energy already made. Instead, I was left without the opportunity they had promised—and without the ability to pursue other clients I had turned away in reliance on that promise.
This wasn’t just a disappointing change of direction. It was a financial and professional injury.
Why It Matters Legally: Promissory Estoppel
The legal doctrine of promissory estoppel applies when:
- A clear promise is made,
- A party reasonably relies on that promise,
- That reliance results in harm,
- And enforcing the promise is necessary to avoid injustice.
That’s exactly what happened here. Verdant Strategies’ explicit offer, my reasonable reliance, and the harm I suffered as a result form the exact legal conditions required to make the promise enforceable—even without a signed contract.
Their own statements, inaction, and timing formed a binding expectation. Their abrupt reversal made it actionable.
Final Thoughts
Too often, companies treat contractor relationships as one-sided—expecting full commitment and flexibility while denying accountability when their own behavior causes harm. But the law sees through that.
Whether written in a contract or spoken in a message, a promise made—and relied upon—is a promise that matters.
This experience is just one of many I’m sharing on my law blog as I document my journey through contract law from a working professional’s perspective. If you’re a freelancer, consultant, or contractor, I hope this story empowers you to recognize when your rights have been crossed—and reminds you that the law doesn’t just protect corporations. It protects you, too.
Follow along for more legal case studies and contractor-focused insights. Your experience deserves protection—and your time deserves respect.
