[3] Balmer began his legal career with the Boston law firm of Choate, Hall & Stewart in 1977.

[6] He returned to private practice, joining the Washington, D.C. law firm of Wald, Harkrader & Ross in 1980.

Returning to Oregon in 1982, Balmer worked at Lindsay, Hart, Neil & Weigler, becoming a partner in 1986.

[7] Balmer is a former partner of Ater Wynne LLP, focusing on antitrust law, government regulations, and commercial litigation.

[6] In 1997, he became a member of the board of directors for Classroom Law Project, and from 2000 to 2001, he served as an adjunct professor of political science at Lewis & Clark College, 2000–2001.