He served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1953 to 1956, achieving the rank of lieutenant.

[1] During his time in private practice, Dwyer was hired by then-Attorney General Slade Gorton to oversee a case against Major League Baseball following the loss of the Seattle Pilots.

It ultimately resulted in the creation of a new team, the Seattle Mariners, and the case was withdrawn.

[2] On July 28, 1987, Dwyer was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington vacated by Judge Donald S. Voorhees.

He assumed senior status on December 1, 1998, serving in that capacity until his death, in Seattle, Washington.