Trust in legal media is currency. Once spent, it is hard to earn back. This page documents how we operate so that readers, sources, and partners know what to expect.
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions at Legal Desire are made by the editorial team. Sales, partnerships, and advertising have no role in deciding what we cover, how we cover it, or what we conclude. Sponsors do not see editorial coverage before it is published, full stop.
If a sponsor or advertiser asks for a piece to be amended, removed, or favorably treated, we say no. If they leave, they leave. We have lost partnerships over this. We expect to lose more.
Sponsored Content
We accept sponsored content under clear rules:
- Every piece of sponsored content carries a clear “Partner Content” or “Sponsored” label at the top of the article and in the URL where appropriate.
- Sponsored content is editorially reviewed for accuracy, fairness, and tone. We will edit sponsored content. We will turn down sponsored content that fails editorial standards.
- Sponsored content does not influence our editorial coverage of the same firm, product, or topic. If a sponsor is involved in a story we are covering editorially, we cover it as we would any other.
- We do not run undisclosed sponsored content. Period.
Conflicts of Interest
Our writers and editors must disclose, in writing, any of the following:
- Current or recent employment with a firm or company being covered
- Personal investment in a company being covered
- Family member working at or with a firm or company being covered
- Pro bono or paid advisory work for a firm or company being covered
When a conflict exists, the writer recuses themselves from the story or the conflict is disclosed in the article. Editors review all bylines for hidden conflicts before publication.
Corrections and Complaints
We make mistakes. When we do, we correct them as follows:
- Factual errors: Corrected immediately upon notification. A correction note is appended to the article. Significant factual errors trigger a re-issue notice in our newsletter.
- Misquotation: If a source feels they were misquoted, we review the quote against our records (we record interviews) and issue a correction if warranted.
- Misrepresentation: Same as above. We will rerun a piece with the correct framing if material misrepresentation is established.
Right of Reply
If we publish something critical of a person, firm, or institution, we offer a right of reply before publication where practical. We do not always publish the reply in full but will summarize and link.
Anonymous Sources
We use anonymous sources only when:
- The information is genuinely in the public interest
- The source faces real consequences if named
- We have at least one corroborating source on or off the record
- The senior editor on the story personally knows the source’s identity
We do not use anonymous sources to settle scores, push agendas, or substitute for reporting.
What We Do Not Do
- We do not pay sources for information.
- We do not publish information obtained illegally.
- We do not run hit pieces in exchange for advertising spend (or threaten not to).
- We do not run AI-generated content under a human byline.
- We do not republish other publications’ work as our own.
Contact
Questions, complaints, corrections requests, and tips:
- office@legaldesire.com
We aim to respond to all editorial correspondence within 2-5 working days.
