He was in private practice in Dayton, Ohio from 1917 to 1922, interrupted briefly by his service as a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War I, in 1918.

[1] Cecil was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on April 1, 1953, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio vacated by Judge Robert Reasoner Nevin.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 23, 1953, and received his commission the same day.

[1] Cecil was nominated by President Eisenhower on February 17, 1959, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated by Judge Potter Stewart.

He served as Chief Judge and as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States from 1962 to 1963.