Private practice, Accomack County, Virginia, 1828-1844
Judge, Virginia Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery, Third Judicial Circuit, 1844-1852
Professor of law, College of William and Mary, 1852-1855
Commissioner, Confederate Court of Claims, 1861-1862
Private practice, Halifax County, Virginia, 1863-1865
Private practice, Norfolk, Virginia, 1865-1877
Judge, Norfolk [Virginia] Corporation Court, 1877-1879