In any legal dispute, the facts matter—and so does the timeline.
When a company tries to reframe the narrative to make itself look like the victim, it’s not just disingenuous—it’s dangerous. That’s exactly what happened in my case with Verdant Strategies, and I’m setting the record straight.
Here’s what actually happened—and why the claim that I, Joseph, “threatened” public disclosure is completely false.
Verdant Strategies Broke the Silence First
Despite what their legal team claims, I was not the first to take this matter public. Verdant Strategies was.
When they posted a negative review about me on UpWork—during active legal negotiations—they made the dispute public. That single action put our private matter into the public domain, accessible to potential clients, colleagues, and anyone else reviewing my freelance history.
Before that moment, I had made every effort to resolve the matter privately.
- I submitted a detailed legal notice.
- I proposed a fair settlement.
- I made repeated attempts to reach an amicable resolution without involving third parties.
Each of those efforts was ignored.
I Responded Only After Verdant Strategies Went Public
Let’s be clear: I didn’t “threaten” public disclosure—I responded to it.
Verdant Strategies’ decision to publish a defamatory review triggered a professional and legal obligation on my part to clarify the record and defend my reputation. Once they made their accusations public, it became necessary for me to respond in kind, including seeking counsel and exploring my legal remedies.
You don’t get to throw the first stone and then play the victim when someone picks it up and hands it back.
The Danger of False Narratives
Trying to rewrite the timeline and shift blame is a classic tactic used by employers to silence contractors. It frames honest, defensive action as aggression while masking the employer’s own misconduct.
In this case, the reality is simple:
- Verdant Strategies publicly disclosed the dispute first.
- Joseph responded only after repeated private outreach was ignored.
- Legal escalation occurred only after Verdant’s public review damaged Joseph’s reputation.
Anything else is revisionist history.
Why This Matters for Independent Contractors
As a contractor, your professional reputation is your currency. A single public review can significantly damage your ability to secure future work, raise your rates, or maintain your credibility.
When a client or employer misuses review platforms or other public channels to punish you for asserting your rights, that’s not feedback—it’s retaliation.
And when Verdant Strategies tries to frame my response as the original harm?
That’s manipulation.
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If you’re a contractor navigating a legal dispute or facing retaliatory public reviews, document everything. Protect your professional reputation. And never let false narratives go unchallenged.
For more insights into contractor rights, legal self-advocacy, and freelance contract law, follow my blog and subscribe for updates. You deserve to work with integrity—and defend your name when it’s under attack.
