He was a justice of the New York Court of Special Sessions from 1915 to 1918.
[1] Garvin was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson on March 6, 1918, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York vacated by Judge Van Vechten Veeder.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 21, 1918, and received his commission the same day.
[1] Following his resignation from the federal bench, Garvin resumed private practice in New York City starting in 1925.
He was a Judge for the Kings County, New York Court in 1940.