[3] After graduation, Meskill enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for three years during the Korean War.

In 1966, amid a Democratic sweep of the state, he was elected on the Republican Party ticket to serve as Representative for Connecticut's 6th congressional district.

[3] In 1970, Meskill ran for and was elected Governor of Connecticut, defeating Democratic Congressman Emilio Q. Daddario 53.76% to 46.23%.

[1] The nomination was opposed by many groups including the American Bar Association, which cited Meskill's lack of legal experience.

[2] Law professors from Meskill's alma mater, the University of Connecticut, also opposed the nomination stating in a letter to the Senate "it is clear from his record as Governor that he lacks the judicial temperament which might have compensated for his want of experience....As Governor he has repeatedly shown himself insensitive to the rights of the poor and the disadvantaged, and indifferent to civil and political liberties."

1981), a criminal case, Meskill disagreed with the majority, stating that appointed counsel should not have to present all non-frivolous arguments requested by his client.

The United States Supreme Court agreed with Meskill and reversed the Second Circuit majority, holding that an indigent defendant did not have a constitutional right to compel appointed counsel to press non-frivolous points, where, as a matter of professional judgment, counsel chose not to do so.

Meskill's dissenting opinion prevailed in two other Second Circuit cases in which the Supreme Court granted certiorari, Herbert v. Lando (2d Cir.

In Herbert, the majority concluded that, in a defamation suit brought by a public figure, the First Amendment affords a privilege to disclosure of a journalist's exercise of editorial control and judgment.

The Supreme Court disagreed and again sided with Meskill, concluding that the fact that excerpts were newsworthy did not alone shield the publisher from copyright liability.

[8] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress