He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 19, 1904, and received his commission the same day.

His service terminated on March 30, 1910, due to his elevation to the United States Court of Customs Appeals.

[1] Hunt was nominated by President William Howard Taft on March 9, 1910, to the United States Court of Customs Appeals (later the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals), to a new Associate Judge seat authorized by 36 Stat.

His service terminated on January 31, 1911, due to his elevation to the Commerce Court and Ninth Circuit.

[1] Following his retirement from the federal bench, Hunt resumed private practice in San Francisco, California, from 1928 to 1942.