He served in the United States Department of Agriculture from 1933 to 1934, worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority from 1934 to 1935, and was a legal associate for the Securities and Exchange Commission from 1935 to 1938.

He then served in the United States Army during World War II, from 1943 to 1945.

[1] On March 1, 1965, Corcoran was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia vacated by Judge Charles F. McLaughlin.

Corcoran was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 11, 1965, and received his commission the same day.

He assumed senior status on November 30, 1977, serving in that capacity until his death on May 11, 1989, in Washington, D.C.[1]