U.S. Navy, 1918-1919
Private practice, Wichita Falls, Texas, 1921-1923, 1926-1931
District attorney, Wichita Falls, Texas, 1923-1926
Attorney general, State of Texas, 1931-1935
Governor, Texas, 1935-1939
Candidate for U.S. Senate from Texas, 1942
Private practice, Houston, Texas, 1943-1949
Received recess appointment to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, July 11, 1938; declined appointment
Nominated to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, February 18, 1943; no Senate vote