That year, he and his childhood friend Ben Moore joined Henry and Augustin Smythe to form Buist, Moore, Smythe & McGee, PA.[6] During his years practicing law, McGee served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the South Carolina Bar Association in 1971.
A year later he was recognized with the Bar Association’s DuRant Distinguished Public Service Award.
[9] From 1963 to 1968, McGee served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the Charleston County district, for three two-year terms.
As Vice-Chair of the South Carolina Tri-centennial Commission from 1966 to 1971 he led efforts to negotiate the purchase, raise the funds, and plan for the creation of Charles Towne Landing.
I ran because as a young lawyer it was an opportunity for me to get better known, but the participation in the legislative process was an education, and it was a great pleasure.
[6] In 2021, McGee received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of South Carolina.
[15][16] In 2023, the Historic Charleston Foundation, created a new award named after McGee, which recognizes excellence in advocacy, community preservation and planning.
[17] In 2024, a renovation of the park at Wragg Square, in front of Charleston's Second Presbyterian Church, was made in honor of McGee and his wife.