[3] In March 1889, Governor Robert Waterman appointed Shaw to a new seat on the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

[6] In November 1902, Shaw was elected after a nomination by the Republican Party to fill an open seat as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California.

[7] In January 1915, Angellotti became Chief Justice, serving six years until resigning to resume private practice in November 1921.

To fill the position, Governor William Stephens appointed Shaw as Chief Justice, and he was sworn in on November 15, 1921.

After Shaw retired from the court, he engaged in private practice and joined the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company's Board of Directors.