While attending university, however, he chose to enlist in the Wisconsin National Guard for service in World War I.
[1] After returning from the war, he completed his education at the University of Wisconsin Law School, graduating in 1922.
He was then hired as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, serving from 1927 until 1938.
In 1938, Madison, Wisconsin, city attorney Francis Lamb resigned his office due to poor health.
The city council sought applicants to fill the position and ultimately received interest from 14 local attorneys.