Confession: I was late to the “Hamilton”-trend and didn’t watch until the musical was available on Disney during the pandemic. Despite my tardiness to the party, I was transformed. And if you thought it was just entertaining, the Broadway musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton actually provides a few valuable lessons for in-house counsel.
Talk Less And Smile More
This first lesson was originally shared with me by one of my brilliant former colleagues, Lori Sullivan. In one of the show’s memorable songs, Aaron Burr advises Hamilton to “Talk less, smile more.” This piece of advice can be translated into the legal world as well. Resist being the stereotypical lawyer who is accused of talking too much (and being a know-it-all). Instead, take the time to create a space where clients can freely share their concerns or ideas without interruption. Intentionally listen to understand their goals and pain points.
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By listening attentively, you gain a deeper understanding of client needs, allowing you to provide tailored and effective legal solutions. It also fosters trust and rapport, which are essential for relationship-building and a successful attorney-client relationship.
Try To Be In The Room Where It Happens
In Hamilton, the song “The Room Where It Happens” highlights the importance of being present in key decision-making moments. In the legal profession, it is crucial for in-house counsel to secure a seat at the table when ideas are born and strategies are formulated.
To be effective advocates for clients, in-house counsel should actively seek opportunities to participate in strategic business discussions. While no one wants to insert themselves unnecessarily, in-house counsel can only be valuable business partners when they have insight into the business objectives. Early involvement enables in-house counsel to provide timely and strategic advice, ensuring that legal considerations are factored into the decision-making process. So, to the extent you can, be proactive and seek out opportunities to participate in important conversations. At the very least, work on your relationship-building such that clients want to seek your assistance.
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Don’t Be Afraid To Take Your Shot
The character of Alexander Hamilton is known for his confidence and willingness to voice his opinions. In-house counsel can draw inspiration from his courage and learn not to shy away from providing advice and counsel.
As a lawyer, your role extends beyond merely providing legal analysis and sharing pros and cons. Your unique perspective and expertise equip you with valuable insights that can influence decision-making processes so don’t be afraid to share your opinions and suggestions when appropriate.
As legal, the reality is that business decisions are not likely yours to make — but by offering your reasoned judgment, you demonstrate your value as a strategic advisor who understands the legal implications of various choices. Your insights can shape the development of strategies, mitigate risks, and ultimately contribute to the organization’s overall success.
The musical “Hamilton” captivated audiences worldwide. As in-house counsel, we can learn to talk less and smile more to build strong relationships as we help clients achieve their goals. By striving to be in the room where it happens, we can have a seat at the table and help drive the success of our company. And by taking our shot and sharing our opinions, we can demonstrate value to the company through providing sound advice and counsel.
Meyling “Mey” Ly Ortiz is in-house at Toyota Motor North America. Her passions include mentoring, championing belonging, and a personal blog: TheMeybe.com. At home, you can find her doing her best to be a “fun” mom to a toddler and preschooler and chasing her best self on her Peloton. You can follow her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/meybe/). And you knew this was coming: her opinions are hers alone.