He was in private practice in New York City, New York from 1920 to 1921, and was a litigation counsel and assistant general counsel to the United States Shipping Board's Emergency Fleet Corporation from 1921 to 1922.

[1] Laws was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 10, 1938, to the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia, to a new Associate Justice seat authorized by 52 Stat.

His service terminated on February 23, 1945, due to his elevation to Chief Justice of the same court.

[1] Laws was nominated by President Roosevelt on January 19, 1945, to the Chief Justice seat on the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia vacated by Chief Justice Edward C. Eicher.

He served as Chief Justice from 1948 until his death on November 14, 1958, and was also a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States during that year.