22 BACK PAGE law stories 15 September 2017 | www.newlawjournal.co.uk

As dealmaker: the room where it for lawyers happens As Treasury Secretary, among his notable achievements was the negotiation of the ‘Compromise’ of 1790 which resulted in the location of the Federal Capital to the banks of the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia in return for agreement by the southern states that the national government would take over and pay the states’ debts, thus establishing a viable financial system. In return, the banks and the financial powerhouse of the nation remained in New York: a classic trade-off of priorities. One of the main showstoppers provides an account of the agreement and documents how the parties emerge from ‘the room where it happened’ with a mutually acceptable solution. It must be one of the few musical theatre classics © IStockphoto/Geoff Pugh/REX/Shutterstock which address the process of negotiation and deal making. How can a hip-hop musical become an inspiration It’s about how two factions can walk for mediators? Richard Harrison shares his into a room as diametrically-opposed foes and emerge with a compromise, having thoughts & a few plot spoilers below… opened doors that were previously closed, almost as colleagues. he Broadway hip-hop musical impulsive, verbose, prepared to see a historic Burr is the narrator and chief observer Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda significance for every case; Burr is succinct, but not involved in the deal. His exclusion is about to hit London and no doubt persuasive, prepared to see which way the from the room is something which poisons Tmatch its sensational success across wind is blowing and wait for it. Burr suggests his views of the protagonists but also the Atlantic. defending a murder case by requiring the explains the importance of participation. For those not as yet exposed, it tells the prosecution simply to prove its allegations; It embodies a number of significant story of , one of the Hamilton, conscious always of the eyes of points: founding fathers of the US, who rose from history, had suggested explaining to the jury ffA deal is often done by persons humble, orphaned immigrant beginnings the historical significance of the case. interacting in a convivial context with to fight in the war of independence against food and drink and relaxation as part George III, became a successful lawyer, of the ambience: someone has to take Treasury Secretary and founder of the When you got skin in the initiative in putting this in place: national bank. Among other things. the game, you stay organise the meeting, and indeed the A legal journal is no place to praise a “ menu, the venue and the seating. masterpiece of musical theatre: to point in the game, But ffA satisfactory deal is best achieved by out the wholly fitting use of modern beats trading outcomes which benefit your melded with a collection of other genres or you don’t get a win opponent more than they harm you: so marvel at the verbal dexterity of the rhymes unless you play in that each side emerges with something which compellingly and wittily propel the they actually wanted. narrative with its authentic twists on real the game” ffUnless you happen to be present in the history and human emotion and motivation. room where it happens, no one really However, there are aspects which might knows how the game is played, the art strike a chord with the legal profession. At one stage Hamilton attempts to of the trade, or how the sausage gets persuade Burr to assist him in working made: you just assume that it happens: As lawyer: non-stop for his assumed client—the new US and this can cause danger if motivation Hamilton having fought in the war of Constitution—writing a series of essays is not explained to stakeholders. independence and participated in the rebel defending it and suggesting amendments. victory at Yorktown went back to New York Burr refused to commit his talents to the In the end, the art of the compromise and commenced work as a lawyer. His friend project. This work of persuasive legal necessitates, as Burr puts it, that you ‘hold but eventual nemesis, future Vice-President submission was eventually carried out your nose and close your eyes’. Go and see , worked next door. Hamilton by Hamilton, and John it if you can: because despite what I’ve said made considerable progress by working all Jay and was described as ‘the Federalist above, there really is a whole lot more than hours and writing like he was running out Papers’, the greater bulk of it being the law in it. NLJ of time. In his view, he practised the law and product of Hamilton’s non-stop work practically perfected it. ethic. This exemplifies Hamilton the Richard Harrison is a partner at Laytons LLP. Hamilton and Burr are portrayed as two lawyer as a master of written submission Hamilton will open at the refurbished Victoria contrasting styles of lawyer: Hamilton is in defence of a wider ideal. Palace Theatre in London in November 2017.