Following the war, Steakley returned to Austin and briefly served again as Assistant Attorney General under Grover Sellers.
He then re-entered private practice, forming a partnership with the distinguished Austin lawyer, Herbert Smith, in September 1946.
As the Secretary of State, Steakley played an influential role in liaising with the legislature to promote and ultimately pass Daniel's initiatives in numerous areas including the interstate gas tax and escheat law.
Price Daniel appointed Steakley to the Texas Supreme Court on January 1, 1961 to fill the vacancy created when Robert Calvert became chief justice.
In addition to his work as a lawyer and judge, Steakley was involved in numerous civic organizations throughout his lifetime to include the Boy Scouts, the Lions Club of Austin, and the Christian Education Commission.
In fact, Price Daniel and Ralph Yarborough, fierce rivals within the Texas Democratic Party, regularly attended Steakley's bible class and were both among his closest personal friends.
[5] Steakley served on the board of trustees of Hardin-Simmons University, his alma mater, for eighteen years.