"Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing."
His PracticeAfter leaving the military, Alexander Hamilton went to study law. He spent three months of intensive study of the law in Albany, New York. Finally, after all of his studying he was admitted to the bar in July 1783. The bar is the word the legal profession and the process of qualifying to practice law. He ended up taking his practice to New York City where he is best known for defending his clients, who were unpopular British Loyalists, against lawsuits. While the British occupied New York, the rebels fled their homes and businesses. With the abundance of abandoned buildings British Loyalists took up residence in the city. A decade later after the British army evacuated New York City the rebels that had once fled began flocking back to their homes. One may guess that they were full of discontent when finding their homes and businesses occupied. Due to the Trespass Act that was enacted in New York in March of 1783, these people could sue the loyalists for compensation for the use of and damage to their property. Luckily for Hamilton at this time he had his practice open on Wall Street. Alexander Hamilton’s powerful defense of Loyalists helped establish principles of due process and ensured the Trespass Act’s repeal.
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Hamilton's Law Career at a Glance
Clients-Was intellectual who commanded growing respect
-Most famous for having the unpopular British Loyalists as clients |
Legacy-Powerful defender of British Loyalists
-Helped establish principals of due process -Influenced later idea of Judicial Review System |
Politics and Law
-While practicing law, Hamilton was still involved with politics
-Advocated for the a new draft of the Constitution -Created a majority of The Federalist Papers |
Practice
- Left the military to study, then practice law
- Went into politics starting with New York Legislature -Went back to law after finishing term as Secretary of the Treasury |